Bridges to safety

For some wildlife, road mortalities could have major impacts on the species’ future. “In the United States,” National Geographic writes, “there are 21 threatened and endangered species whose very survival is threatened by road mortalities, including Key deer in Florida, bighorn sheep in California, and red-bellied turtles in Alabama.” For these and other species, wildlife crossings could make a huge difference. Wildlife bridges and underpasses can save money and lives — both human and animal, Nat Geo found. “You can get reductions of 85 to 95% with crossings and fencing that guide animals under or over highways,” says Rob Ament, road ecology program manager at Montana State University’s Western Transportation Initiative.

Read the full story on successful crossing structures around the world here.

Header Image: Wildlife crossings, like this overpass on the Trans-Canada Highway through Banff National Park, can offer safe ways for wildlife to cross busy highways. ©David Fulmer