Road mortalities caused by wildlife–vehicle collisions (WVCs) are the most obvious negative effect of roads on wildlife. Identifying the influencing factors and summarizing the spatial-temporal patterns of WVCs have been important research trends in recent decades. However, most studies have only considered a portion of the factors, and there remains a lack of a relatively complete framework, including the numerous factors of WVCs, as well as the underlying transmission mechanisms between factors. In this study, an analytical framework incorporating a wide range of previously discussed factors is constructed. The framework not only displays the possible direction of the influence of each factor on WVCs, but also summarizes some important potential explanations under some circumstances and reveals the main interactions between certain types of factors. From one perspective, the factors affecting WVCs can be divided into four categories: species characteristics, road and traffic characteristics, landscape and environmental characteristics, and driver-related factors and specific human activities. From another perspective, the factors affecting WVCs can be mainly categorized as those related to entering roads and those related to leaving roads safely. The study begins with a discussion of three important sub-frameworks: factors promoting road crossing, factors related to barriers to movement, and factors related to safe crossing. Finally, a suggestion is provided to promote the research on WVCs globally.

Temperament is a consistent behavioral difference among individuals over time or in different contexts. A comprehensive understanding of temperament and complex behavioral interactions enhances knowledge on animal evolution, welfare, and productivity. However, reports on the development of behavioral consistency over ontogeny are vague. Here, we tested the ontogeny of the temperament and physiological traits of Tibetan sheep (Ovis aries) in three crucial age stages. The mean level of the risk-taking variable increased, while that of the vocalizations variable decreased. The exploration variable was stable over ontogeny. The novelty decreased and the heart rate increased from the juvenile to the adolescent stage but stabilized at the adult stage. The fecal cortisol concentration (CORT) variable was stable at the juvenile and adolescent stages but decreased at the adult stage. Stable correlations were reported for the juvenile and adolescent stages and for the behavioral variables and heart rate. However, some correlations emerged only after maturation, whereas others disappeared over ontogeny. Moreover, CORT was independent of temperament and heart rate at different ages. These results demonstrate that age affects temperament and physiology and their correlations. Hence, developmental aspects should be incorporated into future temperament studies.

Qinghai to Tibet highway (QTH) and railway (QTR) tracks are running parallel to each other with an in between distance of 0 to 2.5 km from Kunlunshankou to Wudaoliang sections which is about 107 km. An expressway will be built along these two lines in the near future to improve further accessibility between Qinghai and Tibet. Understanding the overlapping impact of QTH and QTR on ungulates will facilitates locating the route selection parameters for the proposed upcoming expressway. Using the procedures of field investigation along QTH during months of May, August and December in 2014 and 2015, we recorded the occurrence frequency, number of ungulates, and the perpendicular distance between QTH and QTR. To improve the protection mechanism for the four large ungulates viz., Tibetan antelope Pantholops hodgsonii, Tibetan gazelle Procapra picticaudata, Kiang Equus kiang) and Wild Yak Bos grunniens; we suggest that the distance between the proposed route for the expressway and the present highway and railway should at least be 1500m, and ideally, it should be 2500m.