Unfenced Reserves, Unparalleled Biodiversity And A Rapidly Changing Landscape: Roadways And Wildlife In East Africa

Roads in East Africa present unique challenges to wildlife conservation because reserves are largely unfenced and biodiversity is high. Few roads in the region carry high-speed, high-volume traffic, but this is changing rapidly. This chapter reviews existing research on the impact of roads on East African wildlife, research needs and mitigation strategies. 1 Road type and protected area status affect the direct impacts of roads and traffic on wildlife in East Africa.55.2 Indirect impacts of East African roads may be even more important than the direct impacts.55.3 Documenting remaining movements and migrations in these rapidly changing landscapes is critical.55.4 Mitigation of road impacts on East African wildlife has mostly relied on low-cost approaches.55.5 New highway construction should avoid protected areas and requires timely conservation action.55.6 Early outreach to planners, designers and funders of East African road projects is needed.We recommend avoiding construction of high-speed roads through protected areas in East Africa. Outside of protected areas, identifying remaining wildlife movement pathways across current or proposed high-speed roads is a critical and time-sensitive research need. Because relatively few roads have been expanded and paved for high-speed traffic, engaging with road planners early during the proposed expansion of such roads could allow more cost-efficient design modifications to facilitate safe movement of wildlife across roads.