Conservation Infrastructure

Wildlife Corridors and Road Crossing Infrastructure

Wildlife crossing infrastructure including underpasses bridges and culverts dramatically reduces road mortality and enables animal movement across fragmented landscapes.

Key Facts

Vehicles kill an estimated 1 to 2 million animals daily on US roads alone
Wildlife overpasses and underpasses reduce large mammal road mortality by 85 to 95 percent
The Banff wildlife crossing network in Alberta has handled over 200,000 animal crossings since 1996
Cost-benefit analysis consistently shows crossings save money through reduced vehicle collision costs

Welfare Considerations

Road mortality represents an enormous source of direct animal welfare harm, with animals experiencing vehicle impacts that cause traumatic injury and death. Even where not immediately fatal, injured animals face prolonged suffering from wounds, dehydration, and predation vulnerability. Wildlife crossings are one of the most cost-effective interventions available, simultaneously reducing animal welfare harms, biodiversity fragmentation, and human collision costs.

What You Can Do

Advocate for wildlife crossing infrastructure on roads in known high-mortality locations
Report animal road mortality locations to relevant authorities or citizen science apps
Support candidate politicians who include wildlife crossing funding in transportation bills
Drive at reduced speed and heightened alertness at dusk and dawn when animals are most active