Road upgrade, road mortality and remedial measures: impacts on a population of eastern quolls and Tasmanian devils
Published source details Jones M.E. (2000) Road upgrade, road mortality and remedial measures: impacts on a population of eastern quolls and Tasmanian devils. Wildlife Research, 27, 289-296.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
| Action | Category | |
|---|---|---|
Install traffic calming structures to reduce speeds Action Link | ||
Install signage to warn motorists about wildlife presence Action Link | ||
Install wildlife warning reflectors along roads Action Link |
Install traffic calming structures to reduce speeds
A before-and-after study in 1990–1998 in Tasmania, Australia (Jones 2000) found that following installation of barriers to create a single lane, rumble strips, reflective wildlife signs, reflective wildlife deterrents, wildlife escape ramps and publication of an educational pamphlet, an eastern quoll Dasyurus viverrinus population partially re-established and vehicle collisions with Tasmanian devils Sarcophilus laniarius, but not eastern quolls, decreased. Results were not tested for statistical significance. Following local extinction, 3–4 quolls re-colonised within six months of installation, increasing to ≥8 animals after two years. Road-kills were similar for quolls before and after implementation (1.6 vs 1.5/year), but decreased for Tasmanian devils (3.6 vs 1.5/year). Vehicle speeds declined by 20 km/h (17–35% reduction) at the site centre and by 3–7% at edges. Following road widening in 1991, vehicle-wildlife collisions increased and quolls became locally extinct (from 19 animals). In 1996, four ‘slow points’ (barriers, creating a single give-way lane, rumble strips and four other interventions) were created. Animals were surveyed using 60 cage traps for three nights in alternate months in October 1990–April 1993. Then, 10–20 traps were set for 20–100 trap nights in each April, May and July of 1995–1998. Spotlight counts were made once or twice in 1991, 1995, 1996 and 1998. Road-kills were recorded in 1990–1996. Vehicle speeds were recorded at four locations.
(Summarised by: Rebecca K. Smith)
Install signage to warn motorists about wildlife presence
A before-and-after study in 1990–1998 in Tasmania, Australia (Jones 2000) found that following installation of reflective wildlife signs, speed restrictions, rumble strips, reflective wildlife deterrents, wildlife escape ramps and publication of an educational pamphlet, an eastern quoll Dasyurus viverrinus population partially re-established and vehicle collisions with Tasmanian devils Sarcophilus laniarius, but not eastern quolls, decreased. Results were not tested for statistical significance. Following local extinction, 3–4 quolls re-colonised within six months of installation, increasing to ≥8 animals after two years. Road-kills were similar for quolls before and after implementation (1.6 vs 1.5/year), but decreased for Tasmanian devils (3.6 vs 1.5/year). Following road widening in 1991, vehicle-wildlife collisions increased and quolls became locally extinct (from 19 animals). In 1996, large, reflective signs displaying a wallaby, and the words ‘Cradle Wildlife Zone’ were installed, along with the other five interventions. Animals were surveyed using 60 cage traps for three nights in alternate months in October 1990–April 1993. Then, 10–20 traps were set for 20–100 trap nights each April, May and July in 1995–1998. Spotlight counts were made once or twice in 1991, 1995, 1996 and 1998. Road-kills were recorded in 1990–1996.
(Summarised by: Rebecca K. Smith)
Install wildlife warning reflectors along roads
A before-and-after study in 1990–1998 in Tasmania, Australia (Jones 2000) found that following installation of wildlife warning reflectors, speed restrictions, reflective wildlife signs, rumble strips, wildlife escape ramps and publication of an educational pamphlet, an eastern quoll Dasyurus viverrinus population partially re-established and vehicle collisions with Tasmanian devils Sarcophilus laniarius, but not eastern quolls, decreased. Effects of the different actions were not investigated individually and results were not tested for statistical significance. Following local extinctions, 3–4 quolls re-colonised within six months of installation, increasing to ≥8 animals after two years. Road-kills for quolls were similar after implementation (1.5/year) compared to before (1.6/year), but decreased for Tasmanian devils (after: 1.5/year: before: 3.6). Following road widening in 1991, vehicle-wildlife collisions increased and quolls became locally extinct (from 19 animals). In 1996, reflective wildlife deterrents (Swareflex; 20 m intervals, 50 cm above ground) were installed, along with the other five interventions. Animals were surveyed using 60 cage traps for three nights during alternate months in October 1990–April 1993. Then, 10–20 traps were set for 20–100 trap nights in April, May and July 1995–1998. Spotlight counts were made once or twice in 1991, 1995, 1996 and 1998. Road-kills were recorded in 1990–1996.
(Summarised by: Rebecca K. Smith)
