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Wildlife Bridges: An Essential Solution for Highway-Related Wildlife Mortality

Introduction

Wildlife bridges are elevated or subterranean bridges that enable wildlife to safely cross over or under highways, reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs) while maintaining habitat connectivity. The rising number of WVCs and the resulting harm to both wildlife and humans necessitate the widespread implementation of wildlife bridges.

The Magnitude of the Problem

WVCs are a pervasive issue, resulting in substantial wildlife fatalities and substantial economic losses. For instance, in the United States alone, around 1.5 million wildlife collisions occur annually, causing an estimated $8 billion in property damage. More significantly, WVCs can cause severe injuries or fatalities to passengers and drivers, diminishing public safety.

The Benefits of Wildlife Bridges

Wildlife bridges provide numerous benefits, including:

Reduced Wildlife Mortality:

Wildlife bridges allow animals to traverse highways without facing vehicles, significantly reducing wildlife fatalities.

Improved Habitat Connectivity:

By enabling animals to cross highways safely, wildlife bridges restore habitat connectivity, enabling species to reach suitable habitats and essential resources.

Enhanced Ecosystem Health:

Habitat fragmentation caused by highways can impede the natural movement of wildlife, affecting ecosystem processes such as pollination, seed dispersal, and genetic diversity. Wildlife bridges alleviate these issues by maintaining habitat connectivity.

Design Considerations for Wildlife Bridges

Effective wildlife bridges require careful planning and design, taking into account species-specific needs, landscape characteristics, and local conditions. * Location: Bridges should be positioned in areas of high wildlife activity and wildlife crossing patterns. * Size and Structure: Bridges should have sufficient width, height, and openness to accommodate the target wildlife species, considering both day and night use. * Fencing: Fencing along highways can guide wildlife towards bridges, improving crossing efficiency. * Vegetation: Native vegetation on and around bridges creates a natural environment, encouraging wildlife use.

Case Studies: Success Stories

Numerous successful wildlife bridge projects worldwide demonstrate their effectiveness in reducing WVCs and enhancing wildlife connectivity. For example, the Banff Wildlife Crossings Project in Canada has resulted in a 90% decrease in wildlife collisions on the Trans-Canada Highway. Similarly, the I-90 Snoqualmie Pass Wildlife Bridges in Washington State reduced wildlife fatalities by 80%.

Conclusion

Wildlife bridges are critical infrastructure solutions for mitigating the negative impacts of highways on wildlife and ecosystems. By enabling safe wildlife crossing, bridges reduce animal mortality, maintain habitat connectivity, and promote ecosystem health. Implementing wildlife bridges should be a priority for highway agencies and conservation organizations to safeguard wildlife populations and ensure the sustainability of our natural environments.