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Klaus, S.; Pastohr, M.; Gaertner, S.
Threat of wildcat (_Felis silvestris_) by traffic in Thuringia (Die Gef„hrdung von Wildkatzen (_Felis silvestris_) durch den Strasenverkehr in Thringen
2012  S„ugetierkundliche Informationen (8): 425-437

Between 1982-2004 102 killed wildcats were recorded in the data collection of the "Thuringian agency of environment and Geology Jena" and the kill sites mapped. 89 kill sites located in Sdharz, Alter Stolberg, Kyffh„user, Schmcke, Hohe Schrecke, Finne, Windleite, Hainleite, Dn, Bleicher”der Berge, Ohmgebirge, Oberes Eichsfeld, Werra-Weser-Bergland and Hainich with know coordinates were visited and the road situation around the sites analyzed. 71 % of the wildcats were killed by traffic, 5 % by hunting, 1 % by fences, 1 % by narcosis, in a telemetry project, 22 % unknown. Since 1990 a continuous increase of road kills was observed. In 1995-2004 a mean of six killed wildcats / year and in 2005-2010 a mean of seven road kills were recorded. 84 % of the killed cats were found in a more fragmented landscape (habitat patch size < 2000 ha). Only 16 % were found in a lesser fragmented landscape (habitat patch size > 2000 ha). Most wildcats killed by road traffic were found in month with higher activity (March-April) and October (dismigration of juveniles). Straight segments of roads allowing higher speed to traffic were more dangerous than segments with limited sight of driver and wildcat (curves, slopes, ditches along road). Different technical improvements of the road situation in order to reduce road kills are recommended.

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