Roads passing through mountainous regions are public land and simultaneously serve as habitats for all kinds of wildlife. Recently, Taiwan's Yushan National Park shared several photos of wild animals on their official Facebook fan page. These images include lively, active small animals as well as distressing scenes of roadkill.
Park management staff sighed as they recounted witnessing a recent traffic accident involving a masked palm civet. After getting out of the vehicle, the heartbreaking scene left a deep impression. They urge drivers to pay closer attention to the road ahead and to slow down when necessary.
The park's social media editor explained, "The masked palm civet did not die immediately. It struggled painfully from the inner lane to the roadside and passed away right before my eyes." They believe the driver may not have been able to react in time, but if drivers exercise more caution, "we can prevent the loss of a small life and ensure safer driving for everyone."
In recent years, masked palm civets have been spreading into urban areas, with the Taipei metropolitan region showing the most noticeable increase. The park authority encourages: "If you spot a masked palm civet in the city, please report it on the City Civet Reports to promote coexistence and mutual prosperity between humans and wildlife!"
Besides masked palm civets, animals such as weasels, Mikado pheasants, yellow-throated martens, and Rhabdophis tigrinus formosanus are also vulnerable to becoming accidental victims of human activity.
How You Can Help Reduce Roadkill
In addition to driving carefully and reducing speed to lower roadkill incidents, the park authority urges that if you come across a roadkill animal and it is safe and feasible, you can move the animal's body off the road to the roadside while ensuring hygiene precautions (for example, using gloves or a plastic bag). You may also take photos and upload them to the Taiwan Roadkill Observation Network maintained by the Biodiversity Research Institute.
Moving animal carcasses away from the road can actually save lives. This is because the presence of a dead animal may attract other wildlife close to the road, increasing the risk of a second animal being hit by a vehicle — a tragic "secondary roadkill" event.
By staying alert, slowing down, and helping responsibly when possible, drivers and citizens can contribute to protecting Taiwan's precious wildlife and making roads safer for all.
