Why We Do Roadkill Surveys
Although collecting information on roadkill is not for the faint of heart, the data it provides is valuable. We want to know where and when wildlife cross the road so that we can reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. One way we can do that is by building a wildlife crossing. Wildlife crossing structures, such as bridges and underpasses, help wildlife populations stay strong and healthy, and allow them to move between open spaces to find mates and new home ranges. Wildlife crossings are a win-win solution for everyone. Roadkill surveys before and after a project also serve to show that these wildlife crossings projects are working!
Roadkill surveys are designed differently depending on the kind of data needed. We gather random observations people make in the community and collect ADOT data on wildlife-vehicle crash records from police reports. To fill in the gaps, we host roadkill surveys that might last one day, seven days in a row during one of our annual Wildlife Road Watch Weeks, or take place once a day every week or every month for longer term data.
Surveys are designed to be done on foot, by bike, or by car, and always start at sunrise. By doing surveys at sunrise, we’ll be able to see who was hit during that past evening, night, and early morning, before they are moved off the road by humans or scavengers. The best season for roadkill surveys in the Sonoran Desert is when wildlife are on the move the most: Spring, Monsoon, and early Fall.
Fun Fact: Most desert animals are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at sunrise and sunset – it helps to beat the heat!
We are particularly interested in these priority areas:
- SR77/Oracle Road between Tangerine Rd and Wilds Rd
- I-10 and frontages between Twin Peaks and Tangerine Road
- Rattlesnake Pass/Twin Peaks Road
- Tangerine Road between Twin Peaks Rd and I-10
- Sandario Road
- Picture Rocks Road
- Silverbell Rd
- SR 86/Ajo Highway
- Interstate 10 within Pima County
- Interstate 19 south of Valencia Rd
See an Animal?
If you have an observation of wildlife on a road (dead or alive), please share it on our “CSDP Safe Passages” project at https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/csdp-safe-passages or by using the iNaturalist app. We also recommend joining the “Roadkill of the Sonoran Desert” project in iNaturalist, which is managed by Saguaro National Park. Learn how here:
One of the best things about doing roadkill surveys is watching the sunrise. During the monsoons, the sun breaks across the eastern horizon and lights up the moisture laden air and morning cloud cover with light and throws the foothills into brilliant color. The sun feels hopeful, and the day feels new. The second-best thing is knowing that every datapoint is helping us make things better.
Photo by Jessica Moreno.
Want to sign up for the next roadkill survey? Email Conservation Science Director, Jessica Moreno at jessica.moreno@sonorandesert.org expressing your interest and we’ll reach out to you when the next opportunity arises!