MORTALITY OF LARGE MAMMALS ON RAILWAY TRACKS

As linear structures, railways (rail corridors) significantly affect life in the wild, have negative impact on animal population levels, and affect the very form and structure of inhabited biotopes. This article analyses and quantifies mammal mortality on the Plzeň– Horažďovice suburban railway line. The research was conducted over the 12 months from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2009. During this period total 60 animals were run down, among them, 60% of collisions were with roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), 17% with European hare (Lepus europaeus), 13% with pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), 5% with bird of prey, 3% with wild board (Sus scrofa) and 2% with red fox (Vulpes vulpes). The aim of the research was to analyse in detail individual sections of the track, whose land cover, land use, migration rate and wildlife-train collisions vary. The outcome of this work is to evaluate and assess the overall animal mortality and to determine the most affected wildlife species. The aforementioned results show that rail transport is dangerous for wild mammals, and it can be clearly said that the most endangered species is roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)