California has a rich array of wildlife, from seals to bears, there are a number of beautiful creatures to spot. Although, for centuries wolves have not been seen around the state where they used to wander freely. Until October 2021, where a grey wolf named OR-93, was spotted roaming the mountains near Downtown Los Angeles.
Wolf enthusiasts watched for weeks as the animal made its 1000 mile journey, crossing many busy roads. But to everyone’s dismay, the wolf was killed on the I-5 freeway. If OR-93 could have made this final crossing, it would be safe and sound in a 270,000 acre nature reserve. “It’s our fault,” says Beth Pratt, California regional executive director for the National Wildlife Federation. “We failed him. I wish we had a crossing in place for him.”
As of this week, 87 million dollars have been secured to create a wildlife crossing across this freeway to right this terrible event. The project has been planned to start being built in spring and be completed by 2023.
Wildlife crossings have successfully worked to save animal lives all across the globe. For example in Australia where migrating crabs can safely cross and cross the Trans-Canada highway which has prevented nearly all elk collisions. However, this project in California will be the biggest of its kind in the world!
The bridge will extend across Liberty Canyon, strategically placed to encourage a certain direction of migration. Also engineers have planned to use matte material which deflects sound and light from the vehicles below. Providing a safer journey space for wolves, mountain lions, butterflies, rabbits, snakes, and more.
Restoring biodiversity in areas that have been taken over by humans is important for species to flourish and has also been shown to improve climate-resilience especially in areas prone to fires. “What you’re really talking about with climate is fragmentation, this degradation of an entire ecosystem,” added Pratt.
The post California pledges to build the world’s largest wildlife crossing first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.California has a rich array of wildlife, from seals to bears, there are a number of beautiful creatures to spot. Although, for centuries wolves have not been seen around the state where they used to wander freely. Until October 2021, where a grey wolf named OR-93, was spotted roaming the mountains near Downtown Los Angeles.
The post California pledges to build the world’s largest wildlife crossing first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.