tech
Mule deer already using incomplete $20m wildlife bridge in California
Within the last few days, a camera trap caught images of three mule deer using structure for the first time
TL;DR
- California's first wildlife over-crossing, costing $20 million, is located in Siskiyou County over Route 97.
- The bridge has already been used by mule deer, a bobcat, and other wildlife, captured by camera traps.
- The primary goal of the crossing and its associated fencing is to improve driver safety and reduce animal mortality on highways.
- Vehicle crashes involving wildlife are described as a "damaging and preventable natural disaster," causing significant losses to both animals and drivers.
- California drivers kill approximately 50,000 mule deer annually, representing about 10% of the state's deer population.
- The Wallis Annenberg wildlife crossing in southern California, scheduled to open soon, will be the world's largest.
- Fraser Shilling of the Road Ecology Center praised Caltrans for funding the innovative crossing.