Ever heard of a Wildlife Bridge? Wildlife Underpass? What are they?
They are ways for wildlife to cross over or under man-made roads, train tracks, or canals that split their natural habitat in half without endangering themselves or humans. Ecologists use fencing to re-direct animals towards the wildlife bridges or tunnels to reduce the number of animal/vehicle accidents.
These bridges also help herds stay together during seasonal migrations. Species survival depends on genetic variability which would not be possible when splitting the land and herd by not having an accessible way to reunite the two groups.
Wildlife experts have spent many years studying the habits of animals crossing and try to mimic the crossing to their preference. Whether it be a wooded bridge, open grassland, or a dark underpass, it can take years after completion for animals to become comfortable enough to use the wildlife crossings.
Have you ever actually seen a wildlife bridge? I have seen a few over the years, but most are meant to blend in with the natural habitat to make wildlife feel more at home crossing it.
In 2025, the largest wildlife bridge in the world will be completed in California. It will extend across 10 lanes of traffic and was designed to seamlessly integrate into the mountainside. Once completed, this engineering masterpiece is expected to save the lives of many people and wildlife.
