A Different Kind of Anniversary: Documenting 100 Years of Roadkill

November 18, 2025

In her newest publication, Fernanda Abra (FFN Award winner 2019) highlights the 100th anniversary of the very first scientific study on roadkill. A concerning milestone that reminds us of the ecological costs of the development of infrastructure across the globe.

In the article Fernanda looks back to the first scientific report of roadkill in 1925. Since then, awareness of the impact of roads on wildlife has grown enormously. Fernanda and her colleagues show that road ecology has evolved from isolated local observations to a global scientific field. The data now shows what conservationists have seen in the field for years: millions of animals are killed on roads each year, and the fragmentation of habitats threatens the survival of countless threatened species.

Fernanda Abra is a Brazilian conservationist dedicated to reducing the impact of the country’s 1.7 million kilometers of roads on wildlife. As the founder of ViaFauna, she designs road networks that restore habitat connectivity and promote safer crossings for animals. She currently leads more than 30 road ecology projects across Brazil. Her efforts are protecting threatened species such as canids, felids, xenarthrans, and ungulates. Fernanda develops practical solutions to reduce wildlife mortality, such as wildlife crossings and road-planning policies that integrate biodiversity protection. Her research has influenced national infrastructure standards in Brazil. This is a powerful example of how science can drive policy to become more ecofriendly.

In her latest article, Fernanda reminds us that roadkills are not just numbers in a report. They are signs of how strong human development is intertwined with the natural world. Her message is clear: “We need to build better roads that meet human needs while safeguarding biodiversity, promoting conservation, and preventing another century of major ecological harm”.