Wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVC) are a common source of mortality for wildlife and can lead to driver injury and death. In this project, we used a 3-pronged approach to understand wildlife movement adjacent to and across a California interstate: 1) statistical analysis of WVC frequency and spatial autocorrelation (hotspots); 2) safe use of pasages under the interstate; and 3) movement of mule deer (measured using GPS collars) around and across the interstate. We found that there were identifiable locations of WVC concentrations, that reducing collisions with deer through mitigation projects (i.e., fencing and under-crossings) would pay for itself in a matter of years through reduced collisions, and that there was a low diversity of animals successfully crossing under the interstate. Recommendations were made to Caltrans to reduce damage to wildlife and drivers.
