Wildlife

Wildlife Corridor Design for Animal Movement and Safety

Wildlife corridors connect fragmented habitats, allowing animals to move safely between patches. Well-designed corridors reduce mortality, support genetic diversity, and improve population resilience.

Key Facts

Habitat fragmentation is among the leading causes of wildlife population decline globally
Road mortality for animals attempting to cross highways can run into millions per year
Wildlife underpasses and overpasses reduce road mortality by up to 97% in targeted areas
Corridors must be appropriately sized for target species — what works for deer may not work for bears
Riparian corridors along waterways are among the most cost-effective corridor investments

Welfare Considerations

Animals navigating fragmented habitats face elevated mortality, stress from boundary encounters, and reduced access to food, mates, and shelter. Road mortality causes acute traumatic death and is a major welfare impact at population scale. Wildlife crossing infrastructure — underpasses, overpasses, fencing that guides animals to crossings — dramatically reduces this mortality and associated suffering while also supporting conservation goals.

What You Can Do

Support funding for wildlife crossing infrastructure in road planning
Advocate for wildlife-friendly fencing that allows safe movement across properties
Plant native vegetation corridors connecting habitat patches in your neighborhood
Reduce driving speed near known wildlife crossing areas
Donate to organizations mapping and protecting critical wildlife corridors