Wildlife and Roads Group (WaRG) Wales/ Grŵp Bywyd Gwyllt a Ffyrdd (ByGaFf)

We aim to contribute to the restoration and maintenance of otter populations in Wales by encouraging work to limit the accidental killing or injury of otters on roads.

Cardiff University Otter Project is a member The Wildlife and Roads Group (WaRG) which aims to reduce wildlife mortality associated with roads in Wales. WaRG covers all species where there is evidence of impact of roads. The groups strength is in the diversity of its membership with representatives from Welsh Government, Trunk Road Agencies, NRW, Local Authorities, Universities and NGOs. WaRGs ambitions include:

• identifying mortality hotspots to target mitigation
• collating information relating to road related wildlife mitigation and evidence of its effectiveness
• promoting mitigation best practice through training courses and seminars
• supporting and promoting the recording of wildlife road casualties and collection of otter carcasses for post mortem analysis at Cardiff University (and similar schemes for other species).

WaRG will need to seek funds to achieve some of these activities. WaRG formed in 2016, following the successful work of the Roads and Otters Steering Group between 2001 and 2014.

WaRG welcomes new members or new contributions. If you would like to join WaRG please contact the coordinator:

Reports

We produced three reports in 2012, detailing priority sites for otter road mitigation in South, Mid and North Wales (funded by the Trunk Road Agencies), with data provided by the Environment Agency and the Otter Project). The reports have been used by local authorities to target road mitigation.