7 Unique Animal Crossings Around the World

Plants’ natural habitats have been shrinking, and the distances they have left are usually carved up by dangerous, multi-lane highways. Highways fracture ecosystems into isolated elements, which can limit the genetic diversity of these organisms in each portion and destroys a species’ chance of survival. When animals try to cross these hurdles, they wind up putting themselves in harm’s way, and based upon their size, and they could threaten the safety of people on the street. A solution that’s gaining popularity across the world is the construction of animal crossings. Also known as animal wildlife or bridges overpasses, these constructions extend over busy highways like conventional bridges, but instead of cars, they supply safe passage into wildlife. Greenery implanted over bridges could make them inviting places for wildlife, and also fences across roads sometimes funnel animals toward the protected crossing points. Take a look at these seven and more examples of extraordinary animal crossings around the globe below.

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• Eco-Link Animal Pass in Singapore. A wildlife overpass that connects two rainforest nature reserves that were separated by traffic for 30 years.
• Crab Bridge in Christmas Island, Australia. A 16-foot-high bridge that helps 50 million red crabs reach the sea for their annual spawning migration.
• Wildlife Overpass, Banff National Park, Canada. A series of 44 bridges and underpasses that allow animals like moose, elk, and bears to cross the Trans-Canada Highway safely.
• Nutty Narrows Bridge in Longview, Washington, USA. A 60-foot-long bridge that was built for squirrels to cross a busy street without getting hit by cars.
• Natuurbrug Zanderij Cariloo in The Netherlands. The longest wildlife overpass in the world, spanning 2625 feet and crossing a railway, a river, a business park, and a sports complex.
• A556 Green Bridge in United Kingdom. A bridge that was designed to blend in with the surrounding landscape and provide a habitat for plants and animals.
• Wildlife Overpass at Snoqualmie Pass, Washington, USA. A bridge that is part of a project to restore connectivity and reduce collisions for wildlife along Interstate 90.

INTRODUCTION

Animal crossings are structures that allow wildlife to safely cross human-made barriers, such as roads, railways, or fences. They are also known as wildlife bridges, overpasses, or underpasses. Animal crossings are important for preserving biodiversity and reducing human-wildlife conflicts. They help animals access food, water, mates, and habitats that may be otherwise inaccessible or fragmented by human development. They also prevent collisions between animals and vehicles, which can cause injuries, deaths, and damages for both parties. In this article, we will explore 7 unique animal crossings around the world that showcase the ingenuity and creativity of humans and animals alike. From crabs to squirrels, from Singapore to Canada, these animal crossings are examples of how we can coexist with nature in harmony.

1. Eco-Link Animal Pass in Singapore

When you listen to the term Singapore, you might picture a contemporary metropolis, but that the island is home to lots of wildlife in addition to people. Two rainforest character reserves away from the city centre were split by traffic for three years in front of a wildlife overpass linked them together in 2013. Singapore’s Eco-Link @ BKE spans eight lanes plus it was the initial wildlife overpass of its kind built in Southeast Asia.

2. Crab Bridge in Christmas Island, Australia

Large animals like elk and bears aren’t the only ones who have secure passing across busy streets. Each calendar year, 50 million red crabs around Australia’s Christmas Island go to the sea to spawn–a mass migration that has been complicated with human development in the past few decades. To help the crustaceans attain their destination safely, the island built a 16-foot-high bridge that the crabs can climb to cross a bustling street. Thirty-one unique crab underpasses along with 65 kilometres of plastic obstacles equalling them toward the passageways were installed.

3. Wildlife Overpass, Banff National Park, Canada

Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, is also home to megafaunas like moose, elk, and grizzly bears. Whenever these animals try to cross a street, they pose a threat to human motorists and drivers in addition to themselves. That’s why, starting in 1996, officials put in six wildlife overpasses and 38 underpasses on the Trans-Canada Highway, that communicates 30,000 vehicles along the 25-mile stretch from Banff National Park to the Kananaskis River daily. Wildlife mortality in the area has decreased by 80 per cent as a result of the animal crossings.

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4. Nutty Narrows Bridge in Longview, Washington, USA

Animal crossings are available in all shapes and sizes. Nutty Narrows Bridge in Longview, Washington, is hung above a busy thoroughfare and it’s just wide enough to fit a squirrel scampering into safety. Neighborhood builder Amos Peters assembled it in 1963 to keep squirrels away from the traffic below. Ever since then, several similar squirrel bridges have been installed around town.

5. Natuurbrug Zanderij Cariloo in The Netherlands

At The Netherlands is the prettiest wildlife crossing Earth. The 2625-foot-long, 164-foot-wide bridge stretches around roads, railways, and a sport complex. Animals like deer, wild boar, and European badgers use it to travel to isolated environments that could otherwise be inaccessible for them. Natuurbrug Zanderij Crailoo translates to”sand quarry natural bridge,” and it’s one of more than 600″ecoducts” from the country.

6. A556 Green Bridge in United Kingdom.

Overpasses that allow wildlife to steer clear of visitors are known as”green bridges” from the UK. In 2018, these bridges opened above the Knutsford-Bowdon bypass on A556 in Cheshire, England. The greenery is intended to entice tiny animals like badgers and voles. Unlike another wildlife crossings, this one is available to people too. A path in the bridge aids agricultural employees crossing the street.

7. Wildlife Overpass at Snoqualmie Pass, Washington, USA

Before the construction of a wildlife orbit near Snoqualmie Pass in Washington has been completed, it was attracting animals. Deer were seen using the overpass to cross Interstate 90 as ancient as 2018. Following 8-foot walls were built across the bridge to muffle noise and local flora was planted, the creature crossing official opened at 2019. It was made to play host to elk, bears, and mountain goats, but some unexpected visitors have also been spied utilising the bridge. It had been the site of an alleged Bigfoot sighting before in 2020.

Conclusion

Animal crossings are a testament to the power of human-animal collaboration. They are solutions that benefit both parties, by enhancing the safety and well-being of wildlife and people. They also reflect the diversity and richness of life on Earth, by showcasing the different animals that use them and the habitats they cross. By creating and maintaining animal crossings, we can foster a more harmonious and sustainable relationship with nature. We can also marvel at the wonders and challenges of wildlife migration and adaptation.

FAQ FOR 7 UNIQUE ANIMAL CROSSINGS AROUND THE WORLD

Q: What are animal crossings and why are they important?

A: Animal crossings are structures that allow wildlife to safely cross human-made barriers, such as roads, railways, or fences. They are important for preserving biodiversity and reducing human-wildlife conflicts. They help animals access food, water, mates, and habitats that may be otherwise inaccessible or fragmented by human development. They also prevent collisions between animals and vehicles, which can cause injuries, deaths, and damages for both parties.

Q: How are animal crossings designed and built?

A: Animal crossings are designed and built according to the needs and preferences of the target species. They can vary in size, shape, location, and materials. Some factors that are considered include the type of barrier, the terrain, the vegetation, the climate, the animal behavior, and the cost. Animal crossings can be bridges, tunnels, culverts, rope ladders, or even cranes. They can also be landscaped with plants and soil to make them more natural and attractive for wildlife.

Q: How effective are animal crossings?

A: Animal crossings are effective in reducing wildlife mortality and increasing habitat connectivity. Studies have shown that animal crossings can reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by up to 90%. They can also increase the genetic diversity and population size of wildlife by allowing them to move and mingle across different areas. Animal crossings can also benefit humans by improving road safety, saving money on repairs and insurance claims, and enhancing tourism and education opportunities.

Q: What are some challenges or limitations of animal crossings?

A: Animal crossings are not without challenges or limitations. Some of them include the high cost of construction and maintenance, the potential vandalism or misuse by humans, the lack of public awareness or support, and the possible unintended consequences for wildlife or ecosystems. For example, animal crossings may attract predators or invasive species, alter the natural migration patterns or behavior of wildlife, or create new conflicts with humans or other animals.

Q: What are some examples of unique animal crossings around the world?

A: There are many examples of unique animal crossings around the world that showcase the ingenuity and creativity of humans and animals alike. Some of them are:

• Eco-Link Animal Pass in Singapore: A wildlife overpass that connects two rainforest nature reserves that were separated by traffic for 30 years.

• Crab Bridge in Christmas Island, Australia: A 16-foot-high bridge that helps 50 million red crabs reach the sea for their annual spawning migration.

• Wildlife Overpass, Banff National Park, Canada: A series of 44 bridges and underpasses that allow animals like moose, elk, and bears to cross the Trans-Canada Highway safely.

• Nutty Narrows Bridge in Longview, Washington, USA: A 60-foot-long bridge that was built for squirrels to cross a busy street without getting hit by cars.

• Natuurbrug Zanderij Cariloo in The Netherlands: The longest wildlife overpass in the world, spanning 2625 feet and crossing a railway, a river, a business park, and a sports complex.

• A556 Green Bridge in United Kingdom: A bridge that was designed to blend in with the surrounding landscape and provide a habitat for plants and animals.

• Wildlife Overpass at Snoqualmie Pass, Washington, USA: A bridge that is part of a project to restore connectivity and reduce collisions for wildlife along Interstate 90.

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