Frequency, phenology and ecological factors in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus Linnaeus, 1758) – vehicle collisions in the Lublin County (East Poland) in the light of the police data
IGNACY KITOWSKI
The State School of Higher Education in Chełm, Pocztowa 54, 22-100 ChełmJACEK ŁĘTOWSKI
Department of Zoology, Animal Ecology and Wildlife Management, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-033 LublinMARCIN KĘPOWICZ
Department of Zoology, Animal Ecology and Wildlife Management, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-033 LublinAbstract
Road roe deer – vehicle collisions (RVCs) remain a serious challenge to road traffic in
Europe. The study covered 153 cases of roe deer-vehicle collisions reported to the police in the Lublin County (east Poland) in 2008–2011. The highest number of RVCs (65.3%) were reported in spring and autumn. According to the available data, the highest number of collisions took place in May and October. No significant differences in collision frequency were found between days of the week. The frequency of collisions resulting in roe deer getting killed reached its peak in May, and the largest number of cases in which roe deer individuals were killed was reported in time intervals connected with sunrise and sunset. Non-local drivers, unfamiliar with the Lublin County, collided with roe deer more frequently compared to local drivers, who knew the area they were driving in. An increase in the road network density favoured an increase in the frequency of roe deer-vehicle collisions.
Keywords:
roe deer-vehicle collisions, road mortality, road trafficReferences
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The State School of Higher Education in Chełm, Pocztowa 54, 22-100 Chełm
Department of Zoology, Animal Ecology and Wildlife Management, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-033 Lublin
Department of Zoology, Animal Ecology and Wildlife Management, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-033 Lublin
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