The Highway Overpass In Utah Is A Major Success And The Video Shows Many Wild Animals Using It To Avoid Danger
One of the most stunning and magical things I discovered this past year is just how awesome videos of animals going across bridges are. They’re soothing. They help us slow down. And they show us what the natural world right on our doorsteps looks like.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), which guards the state’s wildlife, posted a video on November 19 showing the brilliant Parley’s Canyon Wildlife Operpass and all the wildlife using it. “It’s working!” the Division shared their joy. Check out the video below, dear Pandas! (PS—turn the sound on; we love the music in the video cuz it makes everything seem more epic.)
Scott Root, the Conservation Outreach Manager at the Utah DWR, told Bored Panda that they handed over the trail camera filming of the overpass to Utah State University this year so that they could begin a statistical study of the usage of the overpass. “The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) recently installed a camera system on the overpass as well. Detailed statistics are not known yet, but will be next year. Deer have been the most frequent user of the overpass,” he said.
Want to see some more inspiring bridges and crossings that help save thousands of animals each year when you’re done with this article? Check out Bored Panda’s post right here.
More info: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Wildlife.Utah.Gov
You can check out the full video of animals using Utah’s first-ever wildlife overpass right here
According to Root from the Utah DWR, they and UDOT will work together on future crossings just like this one. However, it’s still too early to know about any future wildlife overpass locations and details, so we’ll have to be patient.
“UDOT and DWR were pleasantly surprised at how many animals have used the overpass over the first two years of the overpass’ completion,” Root said. He added that 3 miles of wildlife fencing line both sides of I-80 adjacent to the overpass and help funnel animals to the overpass, allowing for safe migration.
Before the overpass was constructed, around 100 wildlife and vehicle accidents were reported over a 2-year period on that particular stretch of highway. Since then, very few accidents have been reported, Root said.
Cameras near and on the bridge caught a number of different critters crossing the I-80 highway during the day
Image credits: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Image credits: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Image credits: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Image credits: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Image credits: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Image credits: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Image credits: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Image credits: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Image credits: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Image credits: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Image credits: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
The four-legged traffic didn’t slow down at night, either!
Image credits: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Image credits: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Image credits: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Image credits: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Image credits: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Image credits: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Image credits: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Image credits: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Image credits: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Image credits: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Image credits: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
The overpass, which is 320 feet long and 50 feet wide (97.5 meters by 15.2 meters) is already in its second year and has been helping wildlife migrate over the very busy Interstate-80. There have been conflicting numbers about the length and width of the overpass shared online, so keep in mind that these ones were confirmed to us by the DWR.
From squirrels, deer, and (what look like really weird) moose to bobcats and even bears (!!!), the first wildlife overpass in Utah is getting a lot of four-legged traffic. The real-life fairytale was all captured by the cameras installed on the crossing itself. Not only is the overpass protecting animals, but it’s also keeping drivers safe who otherwise might get into collisions as wildlife tries to cross over the I-80.
Now, the project has captured not only the media’s attention, but it’s also gained a huge amount of attention on websites like Reddit and Imgur. Meanwhile, the original video got more than 1.6 million views in less than a week, at the time of writing.
Built in 2018, the project itself cost 5 million dollars, and we think it was well worth the investment. It’s hard enough to put a price on one animal’s life, let alone such a diverse ecosystem.
A study found that between 1992 and 2002, 61.15% of all collisions occurred on only 10 routes in Utah. This just goes to show that changes to infrastructure in strategic places can have huge positive effects.
What do you think of the video, dear Pandas? Which animals using the crossing took you by surprise (it’s the bear for us)? Have any of you seen the overpass with your own eyes? Let us know in the comment section.
People loved the project idea and were hankering for more crossings just like this one
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Absolutely love this idea. It’s the least we can do for taking so much of their habitats away. We need more of these all over the world.
This is wonderful!!! I love when the bobcat uses the log as a scratching post. Typical cat :^)
You know this isn't the only one and there are a ton of them all over the country. Right?
Load More Replies...
Love this! We have a lot of animal underpasses in Nova Scotia, the largest one is being built right now. Haven't seen an animal 'overpass' before. I wonder if animals are more or less likely to use an overpass or underpass.
The overpasses in Banff have been used by wolverines, which are the most reclusive animals when it comes to man-made things.
Load More Replies...
It's so nice to see animals peacefully going about their business with no humans in sight who are trying to kill them. How wonderful the world could have been.
They have these throughout Europe and they do work! Excellent move here for sure!
I appreciate how they went the extra length to decorate it to look like real terrain. Reminds me a bit of a laser tag arena.
This is the best thing in 2020! Can we put more all over the world please?
They need this in California where mountain lions are literally ringed in by freeways and die on them. We have them on I-90 and in Montana the have them on the highway to Polson from Missoula. They are great. More and more need to be built.
They built these in Banff National Park in Canada 23 years ago and it really cut down on animal deaths on the Trans Canada highway, which runs through the park. Their over passes have trees and grass on them and are quite wide. https://www.canadiangeographic.ca/article/banffs-famed-wildlife-overpasses-turn-20-world-looks-canada-conservation-inspiration
Animals are intelligent ... once they figure out this path across the highway, they'll continue to use it if it's within their boundaries.
The wildlife Highway Overpass is very near to our home and I was very enthusiastic for the overpass to be built when it was first proposed. I am even more impressed with how well it has worked for both animals and people. The happiest situation is that there are now almost no mutilated dead animal carcasses on our local freeway. This is a happy and safe solution for both humans and animals. Well done !
Great idea! My only question is why they used stones as the base? The animals seemed to have some difficulty walking on all those loose stones, and if they had to bolt suddenly to get away from a predator, it would have been very difficult. Why didn't they just use dirt. It would have been cheaper, and lighter, and easier for the animals.
I seem to recall this idea actually tried once before in Utah several decades ago on I-15. The animals did not use the overpass. What is different this time is the miles of wildlife fencing used to funnel the animals into the crossing. So glad this is a success! I hope there will be many more in Utah and beyond.
Was the overpass tried without the rock scape? I've seen foxes, squirrels, dogs, cats, deer and possums on pedestrian overpasses many times.
Anyone else notice that one of the pictures showed a bird? Not sure what kind but it definitely was not a penguin, kiwi, emu, or ostrich or other flightless bird that would need the overpass.
This is great! Come on Oz, we need to help our poor animals. Just look at the devastation this summer!
An idea: what if people on the internet could control where the camera was pointed, plus if there is an animal there, what if people could pay to give them a little treat? (which would draw them closer to the camera) all the profits could go to help fund more of these bridges because they are very important.
On a trip to western Canada, I was told that there use to be one big buffalo herd, they didn't usually travel together but they would meet up every year to mate and share genes. After the highway was build the herds were split in two, and they became distinctly different over time.
Load More Replies...
Thank You! Nothing cheers me up more than seeing my beloved animal friends make their merry way in life. Top score for hoppity squirrel/chipmunk & loping porcupine!!!
I waited 18 years to move away from Utah where I'm originally from, now 44 years later- I can't wait to return to Utah. Full circle. Peace and Love everyone.
Pretty soon, I see predators evolving and just waiting on the overpass for their next meal.
So they made an overpass with high walls so animals can only cross in one place. Oh boy, here we go.
Absolutely love this idea. It’s the least we can do for taking so much of their habitats away. We need more of these all over the world.
This is wonderful!!! I love when the bobcat uses the log as a scratching post. Typical cat :^)
You know this isn't the only one and there are a ton of them all over the country. Right?
Load More Replies... Love this! We have a lot of animal underpasses in Nova Scotia, the largest one is being built right now. Haven't seen an animal 'overpass' before. I wonder if animals are more or less likely to use an overpass or underpass.
The overpasses in Banff have been used by wolverines, which are the most reclusive animals when it comes to man-made things.
Load More Replies... It's so nice to see animals peacefully going about their business with no humans in sight who are trying to kill them. How wonderful the world could have been.
They have these throughout Europe and they do work! Excellent move here for sure!
I appreciate how they went the extra length to decorate it to look like real terrain. Reminds me a bit of a laser tag arena.
This is the best thing in 2020! Can we put more all over the world please?
They need this in California where mountain lions are literally ringed in by freeways and die on them. We have them on I-90 and in Montana the have them on the highway to Polson from Missoula. They are great. More and more need to be built.
They built these in Banff National Park in Canada 23 years ago and it really cut down on animal deaths on the Trans Canada highway, which runs through the park. Their over passes have trees and grass on them and are quite wide. https://www.canadiangeographic.ca/article/banffs-famed-wildlife-overpasses-turn-20-world-looks-canada-conservation-inspiration
Animals are intelligent ... once they figure out this path across the highway, they'll continue to use it if it's within their boundaries.
The wildlife Highway Overpass is very near to our home and I was very enthusiastic for the overpass to be built when it was first proposed. I am even more impressed with how well it has worked for both animals and people. The happiest situation is that there are now almost no mutilated dead animal carcasses on our local freeway. This is a happy and safe solution for both humans and animals. Well done !
Great idea! My only question is why they used stones as the base? The animals seemed to have some difficulty walking on all those loose stones, and if they had to bolt suddenly to get away from a predator, it would have been very difficult. Why didn't they just use dirt. It would have been cheaper, and lighter, and easier for the animals.
I seem to recall this idea actually tried once before in Utah several decades ago on I-15. The animals did not use the overpass. What is different this time is the miles of wildlife fencing used to funnel the animals into the crossing. So glad this is a success! I hope there will be many more in Utah and beyond.
Was the overpass tried without the rock scape? I've seen foxes, squirrels, dogs, cats, deer and possums on pedestrian overpasses many times.
Anyone else notice that one of the pictures showed a bird? Not sure what kind but it definitely was not a penguin, kiwi, emu, or ostrich or other flightless bird that would need the overpass.
This is great! Come on Oz, we need to help our poor animals. Just look at the devastation this summer!
An idea: what if people on the internet could control where the camera was pointed, plus if there is an animal there, what if people could pay to give them a little treat? (which would draw them closer to the camera) all the profits could go to help fund more of these bridges because they are very important.
On a trip to western Canada, I was told that there use to be one big buffalo herd, they didn't usually travel together but they would meet up every year to mate and share genes. After the highway was build the herds were split in two, and they became distinctly different over time.
Load More Replies... Thank You! Nothing cheers me up more than seeing my beloved animal friends make their merry way in life. Top score for hoppity squirrel/chipmunk & loping porcupine!!!
I waited 18 years to move away from Utah where I'm originally from, now 44 years later- I can't wait to return to Utah. Full circle. Peace and Love everyone.
Pretty soon, I see predators evolving and just waiting on the overpass for their next meal.
So they made an overpass with high walls so animals can only cross in one place. Oh boy, here we go.
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