Wildlife

Wildlife Crossing Infrastructure

Roads fragment habitat and kill millions of animals annually; wildlife crossing infrastructure is one of the most evidence-based interventions for improving wild animal welfare at scale.

Key Facts

An estimated 1-2 million large animals are killed on US roads annually
The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in California will be the largest in the world when completed
Wildlife crossings have been shown to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by over 90% in evaluated corridors
Underpasses and overpasses are used by species from mountain lions to salamanders
Genetic analysis shows crossings restore gene flow between fragmented populations

Welfare Considerations

Road mortality is a significant but underappreciated animal welfare issue. Animals struck by vehicles face traumatic, often non-immediately fatal injuries — broken bones, internal bleeding, and prolonged suffering before death. Beyond individual mortality, road fragmentation creates isolated populations with reduced resources and increased inbreeding. Wildlife crossings address both individual welfare (fewer collisions) and population welfare (restored connectivity).

What You Can Do

Support local and national campaigns for wildlife crossing infrastructure funding
Drive at reduced speed in areas marked as wildlife crossing zones
Donate to organizations like Wildlands Network advocating for wildlife corridors
Advocate for wildlife crossing requirements in road construction environmental reviews