ASSESSMENT OF WILD ANIMAL CARCASSES FOUND ON A HIGHWAY IN SOUTHWESTERN GOIÁS

Abstract

Wildlife roadkill on Brazilian highways represents one of the main threats to the biodiversity of the Cerrado biome. This project aims to monitor and analyze wildlife mortality along highway GO-341, between Mineiros (GO) and Emas National Park, a region characterized by habitat fragmentation and a high incidence of roadkill. Weekly road patrols will be conducted to georeference occurrences, collect carcasses, and perform necropsies. Laboratory analyses are also planned to identify potential pathologies and infectious agents of importance to wildlife and public health, such as Toxoplasma gondii and Trypanosoma spp. The project expects to identify critical roadkill hotspots, the most vulnerable species, and the environmental and seasonal factors that contribute to these events. The data obtained will serve as a basis for proposing mitigation measures, educational actions, and public policies aimed at wildlife conservation and road safety. Furthermore, the project seeks to integrate ecological and sanitary aspects, contributing to the preservation of Cerrado biodiversity and advancing scientific knowledge on road ecology and sustainable highway management.