The deadliest road on the highway of death in Brazil

Every year, more than 3,000 wild animals die on the BR-262 highway in Brazil. This situation forced activists to step in.
According to the locator collar, Schwartz, a giant anteater, disappeared at the edge of the interstate BR-262, or “highway of death.” Biologists and veterinarians at the Institute of Wildlife Conservation (ICAS) know well what happened.

The accident happened at night, when a driver did not see Schwartz appear on the highway. The impact was so strong that Schwartz’s tracking collar broke, resulting in a loss of signal. An anteater collapsed on the highway. Photo: Guardian. According to the researchers, the beast trudged off the highway until it collapsed dead. But they could not find the body of this animal. Schwartz is just one of thousands of wild animals that are stabbed to death each year on the BR-262 highway in Brazil, according to reports. Guardian . The route was built in the 1960s, when safety regulations were not established. BR-262 also cuts through the habitat of many wildlife species, leading to many serious impacts on the environment. Now, activists have joined a class-action lawsuit, forcing Brazilian authorities to recognize how dangerous the highway is. Highway of death BR-262 stretches east-west, passing through the states of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul. The route also cuts through the Atlantic forest, the Cerrado savanna and the Pantanal wetlands. The deadliest stretch of road stretches for nearly 300 kilometers, running through the cities of Aquidauana and Corumbá, lined with trucks and metal mining vehicles. According to research from the University of Mato Grosso do Sul, every year more than 3,000 wild animals are stabbed to death on this stretch of road. An anteater collapsed on the highway. Photo: Guardian. In 2020, the Pantanal region experienced a severe drought. Biologist Gustavo Figueirôa explains: “When the river level is low, mining companies have to transport by road.” Drought has also caused fires to increase, forcing many species to leave their habitats. When they suddenly cross the highway, drivers easily lose visibility and cause a collision. Environmental and infrastructure agencies are working together to improve old roads like the BR-262. Their goal is to minimize their impact on the natural environment. But this task is not easy, especially when many large animals often appear on the highway. According to biologist Fernanda Abra, some sections of the road of BR-262 have been fenced, but this measure has not worked. “The fence is very low,” Ms. Abra said. Animals can break, climb or jump over.” Class action lawsuit Fernanda Abra, co-founder of environmental consulting firm ViaFauna, began tracking animal stabbings on the BR-262 in 2018. That’s when Abra learned of the class action lawsuit against the Department of Facilities. National Transportation Infrastructure (DNIT). The lawsuit, initiated by many activists, asks the DNIT to come up with more effective measures to protect wildlife in the area. According to the Federal Prosecutor’s Office in Mato Grosso do Sul, DNIT has taken measures such as installing speedometers or installing signs. But these efforts have not resulted in improvement. The Prosecutor’s Office said DNIT is prioritizing the installation of fences and safe passages specifically for animals. Luiz Guilherme Rodrigues de Mello, head of DNIT, said the ministry understands the problems with the BR-262 motorway. But the class action is a wake-up call, forcing them to turn their thoughts into actions. “Fortunately, the Prosecutor’s Office helped us realize a critical situation. And we need to look at how we can do better,” said Luiz Guilherme Rodrigues de Mello. After the lawsuit, DNIT signed a contract with ViaFauna to monitor the highway for one year. Co-founder Fernanda Abra said ViaFauna will release a report in December 2021 or January 2022. In particular, the company offers many specific measures for the problem of stabbing animals to death on the BR-262 highway. An anteater in its natural habitat. Photo: Guardian. Ms. Abra and many experts want people to understand that collisions can be dangerous to both wildlife and people. In addition, these accidents also cause significant damage to infrastructure. According to a study by Ms. Abra, each year the state of São Paulo records about 3,000 collisions caused by wildlife. These incidents killed 22 people and cost about 10.6 million USD to the state budget. Another study, also conducted by Ms. Abra and the Highway Project, concluded the average cost per wildlife collision is around $885. The team believes that finding a solution will prevent the number of accidents and reduce the cost of damage. Crocodiles roam the streets after the blockade order in the US After the blockade order in the US, many streets were deserted, only a few wild animals roamed.