We need to invest in these solutions to save the lives of humans and animals
Wildlife crossings are a no-brainer for anyone seriously committed to coexistence. Whether a world-famous grizzly bear in Wyoming, an Eastern gray squirrel in your own backyard or one of the 20 red wolves left in the wild, no animal deserves to die in a vehicle collision.
Many might be familiar with the story of P-22, the beloved California mountain lion who braved the perilous journey from the Santa Monica Mountains into Griffith Park. In his search for new territory, P-22 had journeyed across a highly trafficked 10-lane freeway, arriving safely into land previously uninhabited by other mountain lions. For over 10 years, P-22 was scarcely seen or heard, the only evidence of his presence being his GPS collar’s reports. He kept himself expertly hidden in a strange and new urban environment until he, like so many other animals, met his end on the same freeways he had once conquered.
More recently, in October, the need for more wildlife crossings in America was reignited with the passing of Grizzly 399. Grizzly 399, dubbed “the most famous bear in America” by many, had a remarkably well-documented life. The rearing of her many litters in Teton National Park, along with her careful shepherding of the cubs across human cities and streets, captured hearts across the United States. That is, until she, just like her young cub Snowy in 2016, died in a vehicle collision.
As of 2024, there are approximately 1,500 wildlife crossings spread across nearly all 50 states. (1) And one thing about wildlife crossings? We know they work. In Canada, one of the most well-known wildlife crossing complexes boasts an astonishing success rate. Over the course of 17 years, there’s been a drastic decrease in the mortality rates of animals like elk and grizzly bears in the Banff National Park. And, wildlife crossings are far from a vertebrate-only affair. Indeed, even reptiles and amphibians have been spotted utilizing these crossings all across Banff. (2) Banff is, at its core, a success story. Despite initial opposition over a decade ago, the Banff wildlife crossings are now touted as an ecological model to be emulated all throughout the world.
One more thing: wildlife crossings don’t simply save individual animals from cars, they contribute to saving species as a whole. Banff is one such example of this effect, where the crossings have allowed for grizzly bear populations to resist inbreeding and increase gene flow. (2) In a world where habitat fragmentation is a continuous threat, we need protections against low genetic diversity in animal populations now more than ever. In fact, this issue is considered one of the driving forces towards the creation of the Wallis Annenberg wildlife crossing. (3) Jumpstarted by the passing of P-22, this crossing aims in part to restore mountain lion populations, and would be the largest wildlife crossing in the world. (4)
There is a war on wildlife, and the metaphorical—and often very physical— bullets are being fired from all directions. Climate change, deforestation, habitat fragmentation, pollution, recreational hunting, trapping, and introduced species are all putting pressures on wildlife and ecosystems in ways we’ve never seen before. But, wildlife crossings are an easy solution, or at least, part of the solution. We have an opportunity to relatively easily relieve some of these environmental pressures, by reducing vehicle collision mortalities for animals of all species and ensuring their genetic wellbeing. It doesn’t fix everything, but part of wildlife is doing what we can right now, even if it is merely one step forwards in the long and spiraling staircase of wildlife management.
References
- How wildlife crossings protect both animals and people, CBS News
- As Banff’s famed wildlife overpasses turn 20, the world looks to Canada for conservation inspiration, Canadian Geographic
- Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, Annenberg Foundation
- What to Know About the World’s Largest Wildlife Crossing, The New York Times
About this post
This post is a guest post by Charlotte Cleveland, Wildlife for All intern. Charlotte is currently a biology student at Lake Forest College, where she is building a strong foundation in ecological research and sustainable conservation practices. Her academic pursuits are driven by a dedication to ethical wildlife management that integrates modern environmental values and biodiversity protection. Charlotte actively works to promote inclusive wildlife governance that balances ecological integrity with public interests and science-based policies. She aspires to contribute to wildlife conservation efforts that prioritize representation, equity, and accountability in state wildlife policies.