Status of Mammals Entrapment in Open Irrigation Canals

Linear infrastructure such as roads, railways, and irrigation canals causes habitat fragmentation and disrupts wildlife movement, negatively impacting ecosystems. This study investigated the physical characteristics of 80 artificial structures across South Korea and analyzed the status of wildlife entrapment prevention facilities and mammal entrapment incidents within irrigation canals. The surveyed structures, including irrigation canals, drainage canals, and roadside ditches, had an average length of 2.57 km, width of 3.34 m, and height of 1.4 m. Most structures (88.8%) were concrete, while 11.3% were mixed concrete and earthen canals. Wildlife entrapment prevention facilities, including escape facilities, cross-movement structures, and avoidance guidance facilities, were installed at low rates. Mammals entrapment incidents were observed 620 cases, with Korean water deer (<i>Hydropotes inermis</i>) and common raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) being the most frequently observed. Additionally, entrapment incidents involving the endangered Eurasian otter (<i>Lutra lutra</i>) and leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) were also recorded. Escape facilities and guidance facilities showed no significant difference in the average occurrence rates of mammals, but the maximum occurrence rates were lower in sections where these facilities were installed. This study provides essential baseline data for policy development and management strategies aimed at mitigating wildlife entrapments and improving ecological connectivity in artificial linear infrastructure.