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Wild animal bridge over highway

Wild animal bridge over highway
There are several of these bridges over the Trans-Canada Highway in Banff National Park. They allow wild animals to cross the highway safely.

Here is an excerpt from a Wikipedia article ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlife_crossing ) about these structures:
Using a variety of techniques to monitor the crossings over the last 25 years, scientists report that 10 species of large mammals (including deer, elk, black bear, grizzly bear, mountain lion, wolf, moose, and coyote) have used the 24 crossings in Banff a total of 84,000 times as of January 2007 (Clevenger 2007). The research also identified a "learning curve" such that animals need time to acclimate to the structures before they feel comfortable using them. For example, grizzly bear crossings increased from seven in 1996 to more than 100 in 2006, although the actual number of individual bears using the structures remained constant over this time at between 2 and 4 bears (Parks Canada, unpublished results). A similar set of observations was made for wolves, with crossings increasing from two to approximately 140 over the same 10-year period. However, in this case the actual number of wolves in the packs using the crossings increased dramatically, from a low of two up to a high of over 20 individuals. In continuation with these positive results, Clevenger et al. (2001) reported that the use of wildlife crossings and fencing reduced traffic-induced mortality of large ungulates on the TCH by more than 80 percent. Recent analysis for carnivores showed results were not as positive however, with bear mortality increasing by an average of 116 percent in direct parallel to an equal doubling of traffic volumes on the highway, clearly showing no effect of fencing to reduce bear mortality

, Nathalie Fradois, Fred Fouarge, micritter and 7 other people have particularly liked this photo


19 comments - The latest ones
 HappySnapper
HappySnapper
That's good that is taken into consideration but animals being animals must find a way to get onto the highway and no doubt there are many fatalities. I drive a length of motorway about 10 miles through Thetford forest and there will be 2 or 3 kills of deer at any given time and yet the road is fenced for it's entire length.
5 years ago.
Ronald Losure club has replied to HappySnapper
I don't know how effective these things are, Maurice. At least the government is trying to improve the situation. Hitting a moose or a bear would be catastrophic for all concerned.
5 years ago.
 Betty JW
Betty JW
Amazing!
5 years ago.
Ronald Losure club has replied to Betty JW
Yes, it is, Betty. I don't know how well they work, but it must be an improvement for all concerned.
5 years ago.
 Ludmila Litvin
Ludmila Litvin
Do animals know that bridges are for their safety?
5 years ago.
Ronald Losure club has replied to Ludmila Litvin
I don't know what the animals know. In Canada, these structures have greatly reduced vehicle collisions with ungulates. I have added an excerpt from a Wikipedia article about wildlife crossings over and under highways.
5 years ago.
 Jocelyne Villoing
Jocelyne Villoing club
Bien sûr il faut les préserver !*************
5 years ago.
Ronald Losure club has replied to Jocelyne Villoing club
Yes, Jocelyne. I have added a link to a Wikipedia article about these structures. They have greatly reduced collisions of vehicles and ungulates in Canada, although collisions with predators have increased.
5 years ago.
 Doerthe
Doerthe club
What a wonderful thing to know animals have a way to overcome people's obstacles.
5 years ago.
Ronald Losure club has replied to Doerthe club
Yes, it is rare good news.
5 years ago.
 Diane Putnam
Diane Putnam club
So, like some humans, bears think the rules don't apply to them. Or, like other humans, ignore the dangers of J-walking! Great information, Ron. I've seen these bridges on television. Looks like there was a fire in the vicinity.
5 years ago. Edited 5 years ago.
Ronald Losure club has replied to Diane Putnam club
I was told the fires were in Washington and Oregon. The smoke interfered with visibility most of the time.
5 years ago.
Diane Putnam club has replied to Ronald Losure club
Ah yes, that was a bad fire year for both states.
5 years ago.
 Andy Rodker
Andy Rodker club
Interesting shot, notes and comments all round!
5 years ago.
Ronald Losure club has replied to Andy Rodker club
Thank you very much, Andy. Best wishes for the new week.
5 years ago.
 Fred Fouarge
Fred Fouarge club
EENS met wat Andy daar zegt
5 years ago.
Ronald Losure club has replied to Fred Fouarge club
Thank you, Fred.
5 years ago.
 sunlight
sunlight club
This is very interesting and very good done with these bridges.
5 years ago.
Ronald Losure club has replied to sunlight club
Thank you very much, Ingrid, and so sorry for the very late response.
21 months ago.

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