Attention, rabbits in danger: Over 8,400 animals died in road traffic!

Attention, rabbits in danger: Over 8,400 animals died in road traffic!

Niederösterreich, Österreich - Road traffic proves to be a significant danger to the domestic wildlife, especially for rabbits. Last year, over 8,400 rabbits of vehicles were recorded and fatally injured in Lower Austria. This emerges from the current statistics of the district administration, which show an alarming overall picture: Over Austria, more than 17,000 rabbits lose their lives on the streets every year, which corresponds to about two animals per hour. These numbers illustrate the pressing necessity to take measures to safety the wild animals, especially in the Easter travel time if there is increasing traffic on the streets. According to OE24 , the increase in vehicle traffic and its speed is a growing risk for animals.

The problem becomes particularly clear in Lower Austria, since the highest losses of rabbits are recorded here. In addition to the 8,486 rabbits killed, another 20,000 wild animals, including 15,433 deer and 1,733 pheasants, have been victims of road traffic. This shows that the streets not only act as simple traffic routes, but also as barriers that cut the living space of the animals. The Verkehrsclub Austria (VCÖ) and the WWF warn that the expansion of new buildings such as supermarkets and residential complexes further endanger the habitats and bring great space consumption, which increases ecological stress. The researchers emphasize the importance of reducing soil consumption and introducing a legally binding upper limit for area sealing in order to counteract the settlement. Meinverzirk also brings up that the road network in Austria already brings over 128,000 kilometers and thus also in fact the habitat of many wildlife.

reduction in traffic and improvement in security

The professor of species protection, Simon Pories, demands that reduced mobility through carpooling and the expansion of public transport and bike paths could increase security for wild animals. In the comparison of the federal states, it turns out that Lower Austria takes the sad top with 8,486 hare, followed by Upper Austria (3,887), Burgenland (2,215) and Styria (2,065). In other federal states such as Carinthia or Vorarlberg, the numbers are significantly lower, which indicates different traffic and life claims.

In addition, the statistics on game accidents in Germany, where around 250,000 fatal clashes with larger wild animals are registered, illustrate the serious influence of traffic on animal populations. Rehe are particularly affected, with most accidents occur in April and May. These numbers and insights from nabu show that road traffic is not only in Austria, but in many countries a serious threat to animal species and thus also endanger biodiversity.

In order to counteract this, not only the drivers are required to drive more carefully, but also politics is called up to take measures to protect wild animals and minimize the risk of game accidents.