Dismal start to the year for wildlife accidents - new plateau reached

Statistics from the National Wildlife Accident Council show that the number of wildlife accidents in January amounted to 6,710, compared to 6,165 in January last year.

2026 will thus begin with only 50 fewer accidents than the record year 2024.

"It is a sign that 2024 was not a particularly accident-prone year, but the new normal. For wildlife, it means great suffering, and for road users there is a risk of bodily injury and trauma," says Jacob Sidenvall in a press release.

While traffic has doubled since the 1970s, wildlife accidents involving ungulates on roads and railways have quadrupled.