Doctoral student Elleke Leurs will be leading a roundtable discussion at our conference this year about how to present the problem of roadkill to make them aware without ruining their holiday. https://www.wildlifetourism.org.au/wta-conference-program-2024/
Two recent studies explore the complex relationship between roadkill and tourism, focusing on Tasmania, Australia. The first study delves into the emotional responses of tourists to roadkill, using emotional geography to analyse how wildlife-vehicle collisions impact the tourism experience. The majority of tourists experienced sadness, with women and wildlife-focused visitors particularly affected, suggesting that these encounters detract from the overall experience.
The second paper shifts focus to drivers’ behaviour, identifying a gap between tourists’ willingness to act and their actual responses to roadkill. Although many recognise the issue, few stop to check for surviving wildlife, indicating a need for better education on road safety and wildlife protection. Together, these studies highlight the need for tailored approaches to mitigate the impact of roadkill on tourism and wildlife conservation.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1745-5871.12673
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/16/2413
Elleke Leurs
B Buss (Hons) | PhD Candidate
School of Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences, University of Tasmania
