Between roads and records: first participatory assessment of road-killed wildlife in Uruguay

Abstract

The expansion of road infrastructure represents an increasing threat to biodiversity, particularly through wildlife-vehicle collisions. In Uruguay, this issue has has been barely addressed. This study constitutes the first effort to compile and analyze data on wildlife roadkills in the country, combining records obtained through citizen scienceand the ONG ECOBIO Uruguay. A total of 4388 georeferenced records were collected between 2016 and 2024, covering the entire national territory. Mammals were the most represented taxonomic group (84.6%), with the order Carnivora (63%) and the species Conepatus chinga being the most frequently. Eleven threatened or near-threatened species (IUCN Red List) were also recorded. Spatial analysis identified roadkill hotspots in the southeastern, northeastern, and northwestern regions of the country. Although patterns similar to those reported in neighboring countries were detected, regional differences in fauna composition, habitat use, and environmental conditions explain some differences in the results, such as the low representation of amphibians and reptiles. The results highlight the crucial role of citizen science in large-scale data collection, particularly in resource-limited contexts, and evidence the need to develop more systematic monitoring systems, targeted mitigation strategies, and public policies that integrate biodiversity conservation into road planning.