Koju Narayan Prasad, Anish K C, Dodhari Keshav, Giri Pratikshya, Lee Miriam, Pokhrel Sudip, Ghimire Asmina, Nyaichyai Lila, Onditi Kenneth Otieno, Jiang Xuelong, Kyes Randall C
Center for Postgraduate Studies, Nepal Engineering College, Pokhara University, Lalitpur, Nepal.
Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China.
Sci Rep. 2025 Jun 3;15(1):19478. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-04609-w.
Wildlife vehicle collisions (WVCs) represent a significant threat globally to biodiversity conservation, driver safety and economic resources. This study evaluated the magnitude, spatial-temporal patterns, and influencing factors associated with WVCs within Banke National Park (BaNP), Nepal, to inform effective mitigation planning and biodiversity conservation strategies. Data on WVCs and relevant environmental and anthropogenic variables were collected between April 2015 and March 2024 along a 97.3 km road segment traversing BaNP. The methodological approach integrated field surveys, spatial analyses using kernel density estimation, and statistical modelling to pinpoint collision hotspots and elucidate contributing factors. In total, 488 WVC incidents were documented, predominantly involving mammals (87.52%), followed by reptiles (8.58%) and birds (3.88%). Endangered and vulnerable species, including the golden monitor lizard, leopard cat, and four-horned antelope, were among the recorded fatalities. Spatial analysis identified significant WVC hotspots at Muguwa, Obhari, and Khairi, collectively accounting for over 60% of total incidents. Temporal patterns indicated a seasonal peak during autumn (30%), coinciding with increased post-monsoon dispersal and foraging behaviour. Statistical analyses highlighted that road curvature, proximity to water sources, and surrounding land use significantly influenced collision risk. Specifically, higher WVC odds were associated with curved roads and greater distances from settlements, while straighter road segments and higher forest canopy coverage near roads correlated with reduced risk. This study underscores the pressing need for targeted mitigation measures, such as wildlife crossings, speed reduction zones, and enhanced public awareness initiatives, to reduce WVC occurrences and protect vulnerable wildlife in BaNP. The findings contribute to the existing knowledge regarding road ecology and provide crucial insights for informed conservation interventions within protected areas.
野生动物与车辆碰撞（WVCs）在全球范围内对生物多样性保护、驾驶员安全和经济资源构成了重大威胁。本研究评估了尼泊尔班克国家公园（BaNP）内与野生动物与车辆碰撞相关的规模、时空模式及影响因素，以为有效的缓解规划和生物多样性保护策略提供依据。2015年4月至2024年3月期间，沿着一条穿越BaNP的97.3公里长的路段收集了野生动物与车辆碰撞以及相关环境和人为变量的数据。该方法综合了实地调查、使用核密度估计的空间分析以及统计建模，以确定碰撞热点并阐明影响因素。总共记录了488起野生动物与车辆碰撞事件，主要涉及哺乳动物（87.52%），其次是爬行动物（8.58%）和鸟类（3.88%）。记录的死亡事件中包括濒危和易危物种，如金巨蜥、豹猫和四角羚羊。空间分析确定了穆古瓦、奥巴里和凯里的重要野生动物与车辆碰撞热点，这些热点合计占总事件的60%以上。时间模式表明秋季出现季节性高峰（30%），这与季风后扩散和觅食行为增加相吻合。统计分析强调道路曲率、与水源的距离以及周边土地利用对碰撞风险有显著影响。具体而言，野生动物与车辆碰撞几率较高与弯道以及离定居点较远的距离有关，而较直的路段和道路附近较高的森林树冠覆盖率与风险降低相关。本研究强调迫切需要采取有针对性的缓解措施，如野生动物通道、减速区和加强公众意识倡议，以减少BaNP内野生动物与车辆碰撞事件的发生并保护脆弱的野生动物。这些发现有助于丰富有关道路生态学的现有知识，并为保护区内明智的保护干预提供关键见解。
