Celebrating A Wildlife “Superhighway!”
Some good news in this “upside down” year. Here’s the good news from Newser:
“Animals that might have ended up as roadkill in previous years have discovered a much safer way to cross Interstate 80 in Utah. The state’s Division of Wildlife Resources has shared video of animals, including moose, bobcats, porcupines, and bears, using the Parleys Canyon Wildlife Overpass south of Salt Lake City.”
That’s right – it’s a special overpass just for wild animals built over one of Utah’s busiest highways – and it’s working!
The article goes on to report:
“The $5 million project, which spans six lanes of traffic, is the first wildlife overpass in Utah. It was completed in December 2018, and the Utah Department of Transportation says animals became comfortable using it sooner than they had expected. The overpass is covered in gravel, boulders, and logs.”
This made me so happy – in a year of bad news after more bad news, it’s great to see a successful attempt to protect our wildlife!
Here’s the video!
“It’s working!” the Division of Wildlife Resources said in a Facebook post. “As you can see, the 2nd year of this overpass has been successful at helping wildlife safely migrate over busy Interstate 80 and helping motorists be much safer as well.” Before the overpass went up, dozens of large animals were killed on that stretch of highway every year. USA Today reports that similar projects have been successful in states including Colorado and Montana.
Bravo to the state for creating this safe way for our wildlife to move around safely!
Southern California’s Attempt To Save Mountain Lions!
Next up in this effort is the biggest wildlife overpass in the world – on track to open next year over the 101 Freeway in Southern California. Wildlife advocates hope the 200-foot bridge over 10 lanes of traffic will allow mountain lions isolated in the Santa Monica Mountains to roam freely and find mates.
So, some good news in this pandemic year. It follows a story I share in April that reported that the wildlife number in our national parks are increasing once again:
That’s right: the bears are back!
Official at Yosemite National Park have reported that the iconic bears are returning in record numbers, as a lack of visitors has allowed them more room to roam!
Here’s that story and more – just click here:
Of course, Zoos have had a more difficult time as they have been forced to remain closed – but before this pandemic hit, my wife and I got the chance to meet this guy up close:
Stanley holds court at Malibu’s unique Wine Safari! So much fun, and an important way to let people see wild animals safely – click here to see more!
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Categories: Books / Media, Exotic Travel, nature, Travel, Travel Adventures
The perfect solution for coping with animals and highways. Over here we have tunnels under the roads for various animals, and ‘bat ladders’ to stop bats being disorientated by fast traffic on main roads. Sadly thousands of deer are still killed by cars here, including the unfortunate animal that ran into my own car a couple of years back.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, these overpasses are few and far between but they are almost finished with one here in Southern California that will allow the mountain lions in the Santa Monica mountains to cross the very busy 1010 freeway!
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I read about this several months ago. The solution makes a lot of sense. What’s next? Fast passes?
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Absolutely fantastic!
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What a great idea!
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That is amazing
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These animal overpasses are incredible.
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I agree, and they help save our wildlife! Thanks for commenting!
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