The health of roe deer involved in traffic accidents in the Province of Utrecht, 2010

The project

The number of traffic accidents involving roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) reported in the Province of Utrecht was higher (363) in 2009 than the number in the three previous years (222 in 2006, 224 in 2007 and 329 in 2008 (Source: Stichting Valwild Utrecht).

The Province and the Provincial Wildlife Management Unit (FBE) of Utrecht wished to gain insight into the cause(s) and the distribution (in time and space) of these collisions with deer in order to be able to take the appropriate preventive measures. One of the possible causes suggested was abnormal health.

Therefore the health of roe deer involved in traffic accidents was examined. The study included complete necropsy, microscopic examination of tissues and diagnostic testing as required.

Progress

In 2010, 64 roe deer were submitted for post-mortem examination.

Based on post-mortem examination results, the roe deer involved in the traffic accindets were classified into three (3) categories:

• ‘Healthy roe deer’:  traffic victims which, apart from traumatic lesions, appeared healthy.
• ‘Roe deer with secondary conditions’: traffic victims with lesions presumed not to increase the chance of being involved in a traffic accident.
• ‘Roe deer with debilitating conditions’: traffic victims with lesions that could have contributed to increasing the chance of being involved in a traffic accident.
  
  
  

Results

Provisional results have been presented to the mandating organizations during the summer of 2010.

The study and its results were also briefly presented in a documentary by the Wildlife Management Unit and the Province of Utrecht.
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