1 Tahrcountry Musings: Effectiveness of underpass- A recent US success story

Saturday, January 03, 2009

Effectiveness of underpass- A recent US success story

The proof of the pudding lies in eating it. The effectiveness of underpass to help migrating wildlife was proved recently in Wyoming US. The state had erected six deer underpasses this summer along U.S. Highway 30 in Nugget Canyon. This was to facilitate migrating mule deer cross the busy highway and protect motorists from collisions with big game animals.

To monitor animal movement the authorities also installed deer underpass webcams. It was found that about 800 deer, a few antelope and a lone bull elk had used the underpass in the first week itself. The authorities are elated at this result. The highway is in the middle of one of the state's largest big game winter ranges used by about 30,000 mule deer herd.

The proper way to place the underpass is to put them in areas that animals use regularly and where they actually do cross. This means that they don't have to learn a new migration route. Here is another tip. If the deer cannot see open space on the other end, they're not going to use the underpass.


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