Vehicle-Induced Mortalities of Birds and Mammals Between Aborlan and Puerto Princesa City National Highway

Abstract

Building of paved road networks as part of the development in the province causes further habitat fragmentation and the alarming increase in the number of road users intensifies the possibility of vehicle- induced wildlife mortalities.

Despite the risks, the wildlife mortalities resulting from vehicle collision in the province are not yet documented. Hence, this study was conducted to provide a baseline information on the species composition of road killed birds and mammals along the highway section connecting the municipality of Aborlan and Puerto Princesa City. Collection of data was conducted four times a month from January to December 2010 by travelling along the road section on board a motorcycle with an average travelling speed of 40km/hr. Carcasses of birds and mammals found along the road were counted and identified.

A total of 47 mammal and 80 bird carcasses were recorded. Seven species of mammals belonging to 6 families and 33 species of birds representing 22 families were identified. Out of the 40 identified species of animals, 3 mammals and 4 birds were considered as Palawan endemics. Common Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) and Large-Tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus johnsoni) are the most frequently recorded mammalian and avian species, respectively.

Although most of the identified animals were classified in the IUCN Red List of Globally Threatened Animals (2010) as "least concern", two mammalian and one bird species were listed as "vulnerable" and "near threatened", respectively.