Millions of animals are killed on roads annually due to collisions with vehicles, particularly medium–large mammals. Studies on mammal road-kill flourished in Brazil in the last decade and an assessment of research on road-kill impacts at a country level will help define science-based conservation strategies. In this study, we used the compiled scientific literature to provide the state of knowledge on medium and large-sized mammals killed by road traffic in Brazil, their conservation status, and an approximation of the road-kill magnitude. We reviewed a total of 62 scientific papers that reported road-kill data accounting for 11.817 individuals. Of the 102 species of medium–large mammals found in the IUCN list, more than half (n = 62; 61%) were recorded as road-kill on Brazilian roads. The Carnivora order comprises over a quarter (n = 23; 37%) of the total road-killed species. A total of 9 species (14.5%) were classified as threatened, with a further 10 (16%) as Near Threatened. Over half of the road-killed species (n = 33, 53%) showed declining population trends according to their IUCN conservation status. Our extrapolation of the results for the entire Brazilian paved road network showed that the number of medium–large road-killed mammals can reach almost 9 million yearly (maximum 8.7 million; mean 1.3 million), representing a biomass of more than 10000 tons. The highest roadkill rates were recorded for common generalists and least concern species, although there were also threatened and near threatened species within the top 15 highest road-kill rates. The declining population trends found for most species reflect serious conservation concerns, since there is a lack of information on the mortality effects at population levels. Our results suggest that medium–large mammals are severally affected by road mortality in Brazil. More investigations are needed at local and abundance population levels, in a way that allows the inclusion of road network as an important threat for target species impacted by road-kill in the national territory, in order to develop adequate plans to mitigate those impacts.

Mist nets are one of the most widely used techniques in the study of birds and bats worldwide. However, a number of risks are involved, including opportunistic predation. Given this potential cost, here we: (1) review the global literature to understand the factors that might contribute to predation risk for birds and bats captured in mist nets; (2) review existing guidelines for best practice use of mist nets; and (3) based on our reviews, recommend new guidelines for the use of mist nets to minimize the risk of opportunistic predation. Based on keyword in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French, and using Google Scholar, Scopus, SciElo, and Web of Science, we found 48 articles reporting opportunistic predation. In the included articles, 178 predation events, involving 52 predator and 84 prey species, were reported. In most of the reports, the mist nets were placed at ground level, the bats and birds were preyed on from the shelf closest to the ground, the mist‐net checks occurred at intervals of 1 h or 30 min and the most common predators were arboreal and scansorial species (primates and marsupials). Despite the occurrences of predation in 13 countries, guidelines for best practice mist‐net use were found in only three, despite extensive searches and contact with key people in each country. Based on the existing guidelines and our results, we recommend that mist nets be fixed with the lowest shelf at least 50 cm above ground level and be checked at 15‐min intervals; when predators are observed near mist nets, the nets either be constantly observed, closed, or relocated; suppressed the vegetation around the mist nets; captured animals be removed from the mist nets as soon as possible, and more than one researcher/technician should be in the field at all times.

O atropelamento de fauna silvestre em estradas é responsável pela perda direta de milhões de indivíduos anualmente no Brasil, sendo importante acessar, compreender e mitigar seus impactos. Apresentamos um diagnóstico sobre o atropelamento de mamíferos na bacia hidrográfica do alto Paraguai (BAP), com o objetivo de acessar o atual estado de conhecimento, identificar lacunas e propor medidas de conservação e mitigação. Os dados foram coletados através de uma revisão sistemática da literatura científica, posteriormente caracterizados de acordo com tipo de estudo, localidade na BAP, riqueza e status de conservação de espécies e taxas de atropelamento. Identificamos 15 estudos que realizaram monitoramentos sistemáticos de atropelamento, a maioria em estradas do Mato Grosso do Sul. Entre eles, 93% dos monitoramentos foram realizados por carro, com uma duração média de 14 meses. Compilamos 5.241 indivíduos atropelados, distribuídos em dez ordens e 47 espécies, sendo a ordem Carnivora a mais representativa. Doze espécies apresentaram o status de ameaçada de extinção em nível nacional; destas, o tamanduá-bandeira (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) possui as maiores médias de taxas de atropelamento. Nosso diagnóstico se mostrou importante para identificar espécies vulneráveis aos efeitos dos atropelamentos, nortear novas pesquisas e auxiliar nas estratégias em políticas públicas e mitigação de impactos.

The proposal to create a Conservation Unit in the Natural Monument category was the objective of this study, which collected information in the socioeconomic, biological and physical spheres. Preliminary studies carried out by the Ethics in Politics Movement highlight relevant and essential characteristics in the protection of local geodiversity, qualifying the area as a Natural Monument. A category of full protection conservation unit, as provided for in article 12 of Law 9,985/00. However, the popular actions and the geotechnical report produced have not yet had any effect with the Municipal Environment Secretariat. This compromises the environment and all direct and indirect environmental, social and cultural benefits that could be provided to society in the municipality of Volta Redonda, RJ.