2006). Nevertheless, collisions are the most common cause of railway mortality
(Dorsey et al. 2015).
Wildlife mortality on roads has received considerable attention thanks to abundant data for a wide range of taxonomic groups and different continents. By contrast,
studies on wildlife mortality on railway tracks are scarce, have focused primarily on
large mammals, and are concentrated on a few countries, such as Canada and
Norway (Dorsey et al. 2015; Gundersen and Andreassen. 1998; Seiler and Helldin
2006; van der Grift 1999). The mammal species receiving the most attention are
frequently the larger ones, such as moose, bears or elephants as they cause more
damage to trains, disrupt the normal operation of the train network, or hold higher
conservation and economic status (Huijser et al. 2012; Rausch 1958; van der Grift
1999). Here we review and discuss the mortality impacts on different taxa.
Mammal Mortality
Mortality of mammals due to train collisions can be of considerable importance. In
multispecies surveys (Heske 2015; SCV 1996; van der Grift 1999) of all vertebrate
recorded, the approximate proportion of mammals found dead on rail tracks ranges
from 26% (Netherlands), to 36% (USA) and 38% (Spain).
Train mortality can have large impacts on mammal populations, particularly for
species that are already endangered, species with large home ranges and low density
populations, and species with low reproductive rate (van der Grift and Kuijsters
1998; van der Grift 1999). The highest mortality numbers are usually found at
sections where rail lines intersect important mammal habitats or migration routes
(Child 1983; Gundersen and Andreassen 1998; van der Grift 1999).
Many species are victims of collisions. The body size of the mammal species that
are killed varies greatly, ranging from small insectivores (as the hedgehog Erinaceus
europaeus) and small carnivores (such as the Virginia opossum Didelphis virginiana), to large carnivores (such as the grizzly and brown bear Ursus arctos and the
American lynx Lynx canadensis), to ungulates (such as moose Alces alces and deer
Cervus elaphus), and even elephants (Elephas maximus) (Child 1983; Gibeau and
Herrero 1998; Gibeau and Heuer 1996; Gundersen et al. 1998; Gundersen and
Andreassen 1998; Heske 2015; Krofel et al. 2012; Rausch 1958; Singh et al. 2001;
van der Grift and Kuijsters 1998). Still, most existing studies focus on large ungulates
and carnivores, and most lack quantitative data (van der Grift 1999).
The High Frequency of Collision with Ungulates
Train accidents with ungulates are common worldwide. From Canada and Alaska to
Norway and Sweden, moose commonly intercept and travel along the rails, being
frequently killed (Child 1983; Eriksson 2014; Gundersen and Andreassen 1998;
Huijser et al. 2012; Modafferi and Becker 1997). In British Columbia, Canada, the
12
S.M. Santos et al.
(Dorsey et al. 2015).
Wildlife mortality on roads has received considerable attention thanks to abundant data for a wide range of taxonomic groups and different continents. By contrast,
studies on wildlife mortality on railway tracks are scarce, have focused primarily on
large mammals, and are concentrated on a few countries, such as Canada and
Norway (Dorsey et al. 2015; Gundersen and Andreassen. 1998; Seiler and Helldin
2006; van der Grift 1999). The mammal species receiving the most attention are
frequently the larger ones, such as moose, bears or elephants as they cause more
damage to trains, disrupt the normal operation of the train network, or hold higher
conservation and economic status (Huijser et al. 2012; Rausch 1958; van der Grift
1999). Here we review and discuss the mortality impacts on different taxa.
Mammal Mortality
Mortality of mammals due to train collisions can be of considerable importance. In
multispecies surveys (Heske 2015; SCV 1996; van der Grift 1999) of all vertebrate
recorded, the approximate proportion of mammals found dead on rail tracks ranges
from 26% (Netherlands), to 36% (USA) and 38% (Spain).
Train mortality can have large impacts on mammal populations, particularly for
species that are already endangered, species with large home ranges and low density
populations, and species with low reproductive rate (van der Grift and Kuijsters
1998; van der Grift 1999). The highest mortality numbers are usually found at
sections where rail lines intersect important mammal habitats or migration routes
(Child 1983; Gundersen and Andreassen 1998; van der Grift 1999).
Many species are victims of collisions. The body size of the mammal species that
are killed varies greatly, ranging from small insectivores (as the hedgehog Erinaceus
europaeus) and small carnivores (such as the Virginia opossum Didelphis virginiana), to large carnivores (such as the grizzly and brown bear Ursus arctos and the
American lynx Lynx canadensis), to ungulates (such as moose Alces alces and deer
Cervus elaphus), and even elephants (Elephas maximus) (Child 1983; Gibeau and
Herrero 1998; Gibeau and Heuer 1996; Gundersen et al. 1998; Gundersen and
Andreassen 1998; Heske 2015; Krofel et al. 2012; Rausch 1958; Singh et al. 2001;
van der Grift and Kuijsters 1998). Still, most existing studies focus on large ungulates
and carnivores, and most lack quantitative data (van der Grift 1999).
The High Frequency of Collision with Ungulates
Train accidents with ungulates are common worldwide. From Canada and Alaska to
Norway and Sweden, moose commonly intercept and travel along the rails, being
frequently killed (Child 1983; Eriksson 2014; Gundersen and Andreassen 1998;
Huijser et al. 2012; Modafferi and Becker 1997). In British Columbia, Canada, the
12
S.M. Santos et al.