Colorado wildlife overpass cuts vehicle collisions with animals by 91%
In short
- A newly released report credits the overpass with a 91% drop in wildlife-vehicle collisions since it opened 10 months ago.
- Elk, bears, pronghorn and northern leopard frogs have been seen crossing it.
- The overpass links 39,000 acres of habitat and is part of a system with 8-foot fencing and five large underpasses.
Why the Good News Desk likes this one
The overpass lets herds and other animals move between habitat areas without crossing traffic. The fall in collisions points to fewer animal deaths and fewer crashes for drivers. The result comes from a full system of fencing and underpasses, not the overpass alone.
From The Guardian
Elk, bear, frogs and other animals have used the overpass, which connects 39,000 acres of habitat, since its completion Colorado officials have tracked herds of elk, bears, pronghorn and even northern leopard frogs ambling across its new wildlife overpass. According to a newly released report, the overpass, which acts as a bridge over a busy stretch of interstate, has helped cut wildlife-vehicle collisions by 91% since its completion 10 months ago. The overpass is the centerpiece of a larger system built by the state to assist wildlife crossing the highway, which also includes miles of...
Ask this story
For kids
A big bridge was built over a busy road in Colorado. Elk, bears and frogs walk across it to get to the other side. Fewer animals now get hit by cars there. Talk about it: why do you think animals need a safe way to cross roads?
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