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Mule deer already using incomplete $20m wildlife bridge in California

From The Guardian · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • A $20 million wildlife bridge in Siskiyou County, California, has already been used by mule deer before its official completion.
  • The bridge, the first of its kind over a major highway in California, aims to improve driver safety and reduce animal mortality.
  • Wildlife crossings require associated fencing to effectively prevent roadkill, according to experts.

A pioneering wildlife bridge in California's Siskiyou County, designed to protect migrating animals and enhance road safety, has seen early success even before its final touches. A trio of mule deer were recently captured on camera using the $20 million structure, which spans Route 97.

This overpass represents California's first wildlife crossing over a major highway. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) celebrated the sighting, noting that a bobcat and other wildlife have also been observed using the bridge. "While the contractor is still completing final touches, it’s incredible to see wildlife already embracing the new structure, even with workers still in the area," Caltrans posted on Facebook.

While the contractor is still completing final touches, it’s incredible to see wildlife already embracing the new structure, even with workers still in the area.

— Caltrans district twoCaltrans district two posted on Facebook about the early use of the wildlife bridge.

Experts emphasize that the bridge's effectiveness hinges on accompanying fencing. "Wildlife crossings by themselves do not stop roadkill," explained Fraser Shilling, director of the Road Ecology Center at the University of California, Davis. "It’s the fencing associated with them that stops roadkill." This fencing is crucial for guiding animals toward the crossing and away from the highway.

Wildlife crossings by themselves do not stop roadkill. It’s the fencing associated with them that stops roadkill.

— Fraser ShillingFraser Shilling, director of the Road Ecology Center at the University of California, Davis, explained the necessity of fencing for the wildlife crossing's effectiveness.

The project aims to mitigate the significant impact of vehicle collisions on wildlife. According to a 2024 report, California drivers kill nearly 50,000 mule deer annually, accounting for about 10% of the state's deer population. The new crossing is expected to reduce such fatalities, as 50 deer and 16 elk had died at the site between 2015 and 2020.

This initiative is part of a broader effort in California to address wildlife-vehicle conflicts. The state is set to open more crossings, including the Wallis Annenberg wildlife crossing, which will be the world's largest upon its completion later this year. Shilling lauded Caltrans for its commitment to these innovative solutions, calling the staff "heroic" for their efforts in implementing such forward-thinking projects.

They’re heroic.

— Fraser ShillingFraser Shilling praised Caltrans staff for their work on the wildlife crossing project.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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