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Railway mortality for several mammal species increases with train speed, proximity to water, and track curvature

Environmental Studies and Forestry

Railway mortality for several mammal species increases with train speed, proximity to water, and track curvature

C. C. S. Clair, J. Whittington, et al.

Railway collisions pose a hidden threat to large mammals, revealing alarming mortality trends across species in Banff and Yoho National Parks. Researchers, including Colleen Cassady St. Clair and Jesse Whittington, found that increased train speeds and track curvature significantly raise the risk of fatal encounters. Discover the critical factors influencing these incidents and potential mitigation strategies that aim to protect wildlife in these beautiful yet perilous landscapes.

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Playback language: English
Abstract
Railway collisions cause significant mortality among large mammals globally. This study investigated temporal and spatial factors influencing this risk using 646 railway mortality incidents across Banff and Yoho National Parks (Canada) over 24 years. Results indicated increased mortality risk across multiple species guilds (bears, other carnivores, and ungulates) with higher train speeds, track curvature (suggesting detection problems), and proximity to water (limiting animal movement). Mitigation strategies should focus on train speed and detectability, especially near water or attractive habitats with high curvature.
Publisher
Scientific Reports
Published On
Nov 24, 2020
Authors
Colleen Cassady St. Clair, Jesse Whittington, Anne Forshner, Aditya Gangadharan, David N. Laskin
Tags
railway collisions
large mammals
mortality risk
train speed
wildlife protection
Banff National Park
spatial factors

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