May 28, 2021
Why the Grizzly Crossed the Road, Alive!
Wildlife Crossings Banff National Park
By Sue and Dave Slaght
Do you get a wee bit apprehensive when you see signs for wildlife crossings as you’re speeding down the highway? Is there an elk just around the corner? Watch out for the deer! Oh, that poor porcupine!
As one drives west of Calgary into Banff National Park (along with some 24,999 other vehicles on any given summer day), a couple of things are missing. First, there are no wildlife caution signs to be seen. Second, there are virtually no animals feeding on the sides of the road, let alone expired in the middle of the road.
Instead, you will see some interesting structures along the TransCanada Highway between Banff and Lake Louise. First, you’ll notice endless tall wire fencing on each side of the highway. Next, you’ll observe a few curious looking vegetation-topped overpasses spanning the highway. What you won’t notice are the multiple wildlife underpasses that cross the same length of highway.
Within the 90-kilometre (55 mile) distance, there are six wildlife overpasses and 38 underpasses. These make up the largest wildlife crossing system in the world!
This infrastructure directs a wide variety of critters to the multitude of wildlife crossings and permits safe passage to the other side of the highway. Beyond saving lives, this allows for greater foraging, hunting, breeding, and migratory terrain.
The first wildlife overpass in Banff National Park was constructed in 1997 over a new four lane divided highway. This occurred amidst significant controversy regarding the cost benefit of such an expensive undertaking (or should I say overtaking).
“It’s a waste of taxpayers’ money!”
“The animals will never use it!”
“The wolves will herd their prey there and kill them in front of tourists!”
There were no previous structures in the world at the time that could give the biologists any clue as to how much (or what) success could be realized.
Patience was needed as a virtue. It took several years for the animals to fully embrace the crossings as a secure and safe way to fully access their habitat. Elk were the exception as they were the first large animal to use the overpasses. In fact, they were even crossing them during construction!
Today as one drives by, it is amazing to see the growth of vegetation on these structures, including, native grasses, wildflowers and pine trees. Who wouldn’t want to take a stroll through these elevated meadows! It should be noted however that these crossings are only for the wildlife.
A lot has been learned over the many years since the beginning of the wildlife crossings endeavor. Over 200,000 medium and large animal crossings have been recorded through this time frame. Certain animals such as grizzly bears, elk, moose and deer prefer the wide-open nature of the overpasses, while black bears, cougars and mountain lions fancy long and narrow tunnels.
Other critters that have either ventured over or under the crossings include red fox, wolverines, lynx, hoary marmots, beavers, garter snakes and even boreal toads.
A very respectful 80% reduction of animal-vehicle collisions has been realized across the entire 90-kilometre stretch.
In addition, the crossings have significantly reduced the fragmentation of wildlife habitats and have preserved migratory routes in this area. Nowhere else in the world has this amount of wildlife crossing infrastructure and the accomplishments that has come along with it.
With the sheer volume of data and studies that has been garnered over 25 years, delegations from around the world visit frequently with the goal to bring this level of success to their own home regions.
Do you have any wildlife crossings in your region or have seen any in your travels?
Read more from Sue and Dave Slaght on their website www.traveltalesoflife.com
