Road mortality of Carnivores with an emphasis on road casualties of cheetah and leopard in Iran

At the moment habitat destruction and degradation are the most important threats to biodiversity in the world and the roads presently are the main causes for habitat loss and fragmentation. In this study by means of extant records of mammal mortality during 2007-2015 we found road accident is the first reason for carnivore’s fatality. 52 percent of mammal mortality directly was associated with road accident. Carnivores with 64.42% showed the highest death road, amongst carnivores, canids had the most number of road kills, nearly 63 percent and felids by 20 percent were in the next place. Meanwhile 52 percent of cheetah Acinonyx jabatus venaticus mortality directly related to road collision. The road in Golestan National Park has led 39 percent of road mortality of mammals and 78% of leopard Panthera pardus saxicolor death road. Currently road accident is known as an emerging factor and one of the severe threats for top predators’ survival. Consequently, it is necessary to apply standard procedures to make safe passage for wildlife crossing, moreover protective measures according to urban and rural development programs to be considered behalf of decision makers.