Wildlife Road Kill Prevention in Western Macedonia, Greece: Results of the project LIFE ARCTOS/KASTORIA

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1 International Congress " Wildlife Road Kill Prevention: Theory, Research and Practice, 4-5 October 2016, Perugia, Italy. Wildlife Road Kill Prevention in Western Macedonia, Greece: Results of the project LIFE ARCTOS/KASTORIA Spyros PSAROUDAS Director of CALLISTO, Wildlife and Nature Conservation Society

2 An important area for brown bear conservation in SE Europe The district of Kastoria is important for brown bear, since it functions as a communication corridor between the bear sub-populations in Greece (the southernmost in Europe) and the Western Balkans.

3 Traffic accidents: A new threat to both wildlife and public safety From the beginning of the 21st century bear-vehicle collisions evolved into an important cause of human-caused mortality of the species in Greece, and into a serious threat for public safety.

4 The frequency of traffic accidents was increased immediately after the construction of the segment Siatista- Kastoria of the E45 highway in Western Macedonia, Greece.

5 The fence along the highway was a conventional one (1.60 meters height only)!

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7 Traffic accidents: A new threat to both wildlife and public safety The segment Siatista-Kastoria was finished in 2009 and started operating in June same year. During , eight (8) cases of traffic accidents with bears were recorded, out of which six (6) were fatal for the bears. Fortunately, no human fatalities were incurred, although this was possible!

8 : Bear-vehicle collisions on Highway E45 (segment: Siatista-Kastoria)

9 The project LIFE ARCTOS/KASTORIA Title: «Improving Conditions of Bear-Human Coexistence in Kastoria Prefecture, Greece Transfer of best practice» (LIFE09 NAT/GR/000333) Beneficiaries: Region of W. Macedonia (Coordinating Beneficiary) CALLISTO ANKAS Duration: 1/10/ /09/2015 Financial figures: Total cost: EC contribution: 75% ( )

10 The project LIFE ARCTOS/KASTORIA Threats/problems addressed: Human-caused bear mortality related to traffic accidents Habituation of bears to human food sources & settlement approaching Bear damages to agricultural production, livestock and beehives High levels of intolerance of bear presence in the area targeted by the project

11 The project LIFE ARCTOS/KASTORIA Prevention measures to address human-caused bear mortality related to traffic accidents Focus on highway E45, which was built between 2004 and 2009, without taking under consideration wildlife needs (no special fencing, no wildlife overpasses or underpasses, no other mitigation or management measures).

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13 Sections of the road and highway network with a high risk of bear traffic fatalities were identified, using radio-telemetry data from nine (9) radio-tagged bears and in situ extensive surveys conducted by CALLISTO

14 The hot-spot analysis was used to rank priorities regarding the mitigation measures that should be taken. Exact sites for installing special Warning Road Signs WRS and optical Wildlife Warning Reflectors WWR were identified.

15 Prevention measures addressing bear traffic fatalities Installation of optical Wildlife Warning Reflectors WWR

16 Prevention measures addressing bear traffic fatalities WWRs deflect the light from headlights of approaching vehicles towards the roadside, creating a constantly changing optical warning fence, which prompts large mammals to stop moving or to flee back into the woods/fields

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19 Actions and prevention measures addressing bear traffic fatalities 22 Warning Road Signs WRS alerting drivers to potential collision with bears and other wildlife species

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22 Additional special Warning Road Signs installed by Egnatia Odos S.A. Following successful pressure by NGOs including CALLISTO, the state owned company that supervised construction of the highway, installed additional warning signs at crucial points of the highway segments.

23 Installation of bear-proof fence Most important, EGNATIA ODOS SA installed an upgraded 130 km bearproof fence.

24 Installation of bear-proof fence The new fence has been constructed according specific standards with a height of 3 meters, and reinforced, galvanized fencing wire. The distances between the piles, which have been fastened on the ground with concrete, is maximum 2 meters.

25 Results of the LIFE ARCTOS/KASTORIA The new fence and the other mitigation measures implemented by the project, have substantially contributed to reduce drastically the number of road accidents involving bears in the project area.

26 Bear traffic fatalities in Kastoria district ( ) Installation of warning signs - artificial deterrents and of the new, bear-proof fence 2 1 KA County network Old National Road

27 Bear traffic fatalities in Kastoria district ( ) Bear traffic fatalities on KA45 highway Installation of warning signs - artificial deterrents and of the new, bearproof fence Bear traffic fatalities on KA45

28 After LIFE: Sustainability of the results Although implementation of the LIFE ARCTOS/KASTORIA project was a very important starting point, its efforts should be continued, mainly by regional authorities and public services. CALLISTO will continue its efforts to secure continuation, replication and transfer of the methods and measures implemented.

29 After LIFE: Sustainability of the results Regional Authorities and Egnatia Odos SA should undertake regular control of equipment, maintenance and replacement of missing and/or damaged items of the mitigation structures. The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructures should adopt and replicate similar mitigation structures in other segments of Egnatia Highway and its perpendicular axes.

30 After LIFE: Sustainability of the results Cleaning vegetation on secondary roads where WWRs have been installed is also necessary. CALLISTO has already undertaken similar efforts mobilizing volunteers.

31 After LIFE: Sustainability of the results Additional mitigation structures for increasing permeability of specific highway segments are also necessary and should be constructed urgently.

32 After LIFE: Sustainability of the results Using already existing structures (culverts, bridges, etc.) for increasing permeability of the highway. CALLISTO has already prepared concrete proposals supporting research efforts.

33 After LIFE: Sustainability of the results Using already existing structures (culverts, bridges, etc.) for increasing permeability of the highway. CALLISTO has already prepared concrete proposals supporting research efforts.

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