Roadkill has unexpected upside for conservation efforts
During the summer months, rural roads are filled with roadkill as animals wander around searching for water, eating and breeding in the scorching heat.
A new Australian-led review suggests this harrowing landscape may have an unexpected upside, allowing scientists to test for diseases, track populations and learn more about the animals’ diets and habitats.
While the carcasses of the millions of animals killed on the roads each year are often left to rot, ecologists wanted to know whether they could be a valuable resource for research.
A review of more than 300 studies spanning 67 countries found that road kills have many scientific uses, including ethical monitoring of disease and pathogens without the use of live animals.
The carcasses could also be used to obtain samples for genetic studies aimed at animal conservation, Christa Beckmann, lead author of the review, told AAP.
“This is learning about catching an animal without having to cause stress to the animal and without spending the time required to catch an animal,” said Dr Beckmann, a senior lecturer in environmental sciences at RMIT University.
“It’s much easier to get genetic samples from roadkill.”
Some international studies have used roadkill to uncover new species or find hard-to-find endangered animals.
Sniffer dogs sniffed out roadkill to track down Africa’s critically endangered riverine hare in one study.
New species of lizards and rodents were first discovered through roadkill, while deer carcasses were used as bait to attract eagles, at the center of the research.
In another study, a paleontologist took photographs of animal remains that were repeatedly crushed to teach students about the fossilization process.
“I hope to raise awareness in the research community that roadkill can be a source of examples,” Dr Beckmann said.
“And to encourage researchers to think about how they can use these unique examples and think outside the box.”
Researchers will still need permits to collect dead animals from the road, taking into account potential biohazard and traffic risks, he said.
The review, published in the scientific journal Biology Letters on Wednesday, also highlighted the heavy deaths that occur for animals on the roads.
Most studies on roadkill concern mammals, followed by reptiles, birds, amphibians and invertebrates.
An estimated 10 million native animals are killed on Australian roads every year.
“Drivers could perhaps slow down a bit and that could help reduce the number of animals we see dead on the road,” Dr Beckmann said.
