Roads are integral to the financial development and prosperity of the South African economy. However, a
multitude of species and habitats are under increasing pressure from human development, and the need
for a quick method of recognising the latent threat caused by roads is becoming more urgent. It is therefore
important to reach a compromise between conserving the country’s wildlife from the impacts of roads and
providing road networks which enable South Africa’s economy to function effectively.
54.1 Wildlife-vehicle collisions in South Africa are costly and likely to be under-reported.
54.2 Knowledge of the impacts of roads and traffic in South Africa is limited because most studies have
focused solely on roadkill.
54.3 South Africa needs a standardised protocol to detect and record roadkill.
54.4 Fencing may be a successful mitigation measure in South Africa, but it can exacerbate fragmentation.The threat of roads and traffic to wildlife in South Africa is generally poorly understood. Consequently,
there is a need to define the extent of the impact of roads on the country’s wildlife and develop national
guidelines that not only contribute towards effective conservation planning but also to the sustainable
development of infrastructure in South Africa.