Analysis of Road Kill Data from Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar

Abstract

Ankarafantsika National Park, one of the largest and last remaining sections of dry deciduous forest in Madagascar, is filled with critically endangered and endemic species. A major highway bisects the park. Road kill continues to be a problem facing park management. In 2007 two speed bumps were constructed along the highway system inside the park. While it is assumed that speed bumps decrease incidence of road kill by slowing vehicles, no studies have conclusively determined that speed bumps protect wildlife. This project analyzes data collected from 2005 to 2007 to determine if speed bumps reduced the amount of road kill inside the park. The speed bumps were found to substantially reduce the amount of road kill across all faunal classes. The fact that reductions in road kill occurred along the entire road suggests that the speed bumps might act as psychological deterrent as well as a physical obstacle.