Utah DWR, UDOT’s newly launched Roadkill Reporter App reports 3,843 animals killed by vehicles in last year

Dead Deer on Seep Ridge Road Photo: Utah DWR

During the app's first year, a total of 3,843 animals were reported as victims of vehicle collisions. Mule deer accounted for approximately 98% of these incidents, totaling 3,611 deer.

UTAH — In its inaugural year, the Utah Roadkill Reporter app has proven to be a valuable tool for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT). Launched in December 2022, the app has garnered over 3,000 reports of wildlife killed by vehicles, shedding light on crucial insights into wildlife migration patterns and aiding in the implementation of safety measures.

The primary purpose of the Utah Roadkill Reporter app is to encourage the public to report deceased animals spotted on or near roads promptly with the data serving as an invaluable resource for biologists studying wildlife migration.

Matt Howard, UDOT’s Natural Resource Manager, emphasizes the app’s role in enhancing road safety, stating, “This app is helping us keep Utah roads safe by helping us more quickly remove carcasses that can cause traffic hazards.” The information gathered from the app will also help in identifying areas where wildlife fencing and crossings may be strategically placed.

During the app’s first year, a total of 3,843 animals were reported as victims of vehicle collisions. Mule deer accounted for approximately 98% of these incidents, totaling 3,611 deer. However, DWR biologists estimate that only half of deer-vehicle collisions are reported, suggesting that the actual annual deer casualties on Utah roads may be around 10,000.

Beyond mule deer, the app revealed incidents involving various wildlife species over the past year, including a lone American badger, two bighorn sheep, two black bears, and several other species. The diversity of reported species has provided valuable data for DWR’s Utah Wildlife Migration Initiative Coordinator, Blair Stringham, who notes, “Through this data, we are learning about new locations where animals are being hit by vehicles.”

Stringham explains that the app’s data collection extends to species that were not previously well-documented, such as small animals like badgers. The new data will help in identifying wildlife-vehicle collision hotspots and guide the implementation of targeted projects, including wildlife fencing, underpasses, overpasses, and signage.

A full list of the reported wildlife species killed over the past year include:

• American badger: 1
• Bighorn sheep: 2
• Black bear: 2
• Black-billed magpie: 1
• Bobcat: 1
• Canyon treefrog: 1
• Cougar: 8
• Coyote : 5
• Elk: 157
• Northern raccoon: 17
• Porcupine: 1
• Pronghorn: 22
• Red fox: 3
• Snowshoe hare: 1
• Turkey: 3

The Utah Roadkill Reporter app is available for free in both the Google Play store and Apple’s App Store.