A recent study on mammals living in Tallinn has mapped the connections between key green areas and the movement paths of animals while offering solutions to improve wildlife mobility both within the city and beyond its borders.

The study, titled “Improving Habitat Connectivity for Large and Small Mammals in Tallinn”, was conducted by OÜ Rewild on behalf of the Tallinn Urban Environment and Public Works Department. It refined data on the distribution and movement paths of large and small mammals in the city's green areas. The study focused on finding solutions for conflict points that were first identified in a 2022 study.

“Nature does not end where the city begins. Humans are part of nature. Every month, more than ten animals—mainly roe deer and European hares—are killed in traffic accidents in Tallinn. The city is home to over 30 moose, 400 roe deer, and many smaller mammals. This study helps us understand how to design the city so that both people and animals can coexist,” said Tallinn’s Deputy Mayor Pärtel-Peeter Pere.

“Alongside Tallinn’s human residents, the city’s diverse green areas are home to most of Northern Estonia’s large and small mammals, from squirrels to moose. However, urban planning, construction projects, and daily life have not sufficiently considered their natural movement needs, leading to frequent instances where animals become trapped, injured, or killed. The value of this study lies in identifying these conflict points so that all stakeholders involved in urban development can work together to find solutions and prevent new problems from arising,” commented Meelis Uustal, head of the Environmental Management Department at the Tallinn Urban Environment and Public Works Department.

One of the key outputs of this study is thematic maps illustrating habitat connectivity for mammals, highlighting essential movement corridors for moose, roe deer, and small mammals in Tallinn. “These maps will be used in future urban planning, including in the processing of detailed plans and construction projects, to help avoid and reduce conflicts between people and wildlife,” Uustal explained. The study and maps are available in the Tallinn research information system.

While large mammals such as moose and roe deer primarily inhabit green areas, small mammals also move through built-up areas and gardens. In many cases, their movement is restricted due to a lack of connections between green spaces. The reasons vary, including fences, barriers, and limited public awareness.

Simple measures can improve movement paths for small mammals, such as leaving an opening at the bottom of fences for animals to pass through. For larger mammals, it is necessary to maintain existing green corridors and plan new ones so that animals can move safely between habitats.

“Solutions depend on location. In some areas, adjusting the placement or design of barriers may be enough, while in others, fences might be necessary to ensure animal safety by preventing them from running into traffic. Across the city, there are problem areas where solutions are neither simple nor inexpensive, but when designing new projects, it is almost always possible to find ways to maintain the integrity of the green network,” explained Herdis Fridolin, a nature conservation specialist at the Tallinn Urban Environment and Public Works Department.

Since animals do not recognize city borders, the study's recommendations extend beyond Tallinn to neighboring municipalities.

Background Information:
Green areas, including inland water bodies and Aegna Island, make up over 40% of Tallinn’s total area. While previous studies have examined the distribution of large and small mammals in Tallinn’s green spaces and the connectivity of their habitats, the latest study provides a significantly more detailed analysis. This new research incorporates all previously known data and studies on mammals in Tallinn, with a primary focus on the 2022 study and fieldwork. Additional field studies have now refined the movement paths of large and small mammals, providing specific solutions for each problem area.