Wildlife Welfare

Wildlife Corridor and Road Crossing Welfare

Road crossing infrastructure including underpasses, bridges, and green bridges reduces wildlife mortality and enables population connectivity, providing significant welfare and conservation benefits.

Key Facts

Roads kill an estimated 60,000 badgers, 100,000 foxes, and millions of smaller animals in the UK annually
Wildlife underpasses and overpasses reduce mammal road mortality by up to 95% at crossing points
Species-specific design is important as different animals prefer different crossing types
Funnelling fences direct animals toward crossing points rather than attempting road crossings
Green bridges planted with vegetation enable even reluctant species to use crossings

Welfare Considerations

Road mortality causes acute suffering at the point of impact and prolonged suffering for injured animals unable to reach safety. Wildlife crossing infrastructure prevents individual deaths and injuries while enabling population connectivity, representing a high welfare-value infrastructure intervention.

What You Can Do

Advocate for wildlife crossing infrastructure in road construction planning requirements
Support local campaigns for wildlife underpasses at mortality hotspots in your area
Slow down and watch for wildlife during dawn, dusk, and autumn dispersal periods