Clearer roads due to COVID-19 makes wildlife travel safer

Crossing roads has become a little safer for wildlife during the coronavirus lockdown in the United States due to a huge drop in traffic. According to a new report released by the Davis Road Ecology Center at the University of California, traffic on U.S. roads fell by about 73% during March and April. Less cars meant less accidents — fatal collisions with large wildlife like moose (Alces alces), mountain lions (Puma concolor), bears and deer dropped by about 58%. While collisions with wildlife will likely return to pre-COVID-19 levels once traffic returns to normal, researchers say the study provides a clear snapshot of the effect that traffic can have on wildlife.

Read more at National Geographic.