Crossing through danger: Spatial drivers of roadkill risk for felids in the fragmented Middle Magdalena valley

The Middle Magdalena valley in Colombia shows great fragmentation processes, which threatens conservation values and may particularly impact key ecological species such as wide-ranging felids. This study evaluates the vulnerability of the five native felid species ( Herpailurus yagouaroundi, Leopardus pardalis , L. wiedii, Panthera onca and Puma concolor ) to roadkill along a 250 km stretch of the Ruta del Sol highway. We combined roadkill data with presence records from field surveys, camera traps and citizen science platforms between 2018 and 2025. Spatial analyses included kernel density estimation of roadkill hotspots and a friction surface model to quantify landscape permeability. A beta regression model assessed the relationship between roadkill risk, proximity to hotspots, landscape resistance, and species identity. We detected four roadkill hotspots associated with a lower landscape resistance, particularly around Puerto Parra and Puerto Boyacá. P. concolor showed a significantly lower risk of roadkill compared to H. yagouaroundi , while other species showed similar risk levels. More than 65% of the landscape was classified as highly resistant to movement, indicating substantial fragmentation. Notably, roadkill hotspots overlapped with permeable habitat corridors, creating a conservation paradox where areas suitable for wildlife movement are also the most dangerous. We highlight the urgent need for spatially explicit mitigation measures, including wildlife crossings with guiding fences and habitat restoration in key corridors. As the convergence of five felid species suggests potential for interspecific competition and cumulative impacts, targeted conservation efforts are essential to maintain ecosystem integrity.