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, which guards the state’s wildlife, posted a video on November 19 showing the brilliant Parleys 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.)
Listen beautiful relax classics on our Youtube channel.
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
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
Listen beautiful relax classics on our Youtube channel.
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 around 330 feet long and 48 feet wide (91.4 meters by 14.6 meters) is already in its second year and has been helping wildlife migrate over the very busy Interstate-80. 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.
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.
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 money. 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.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources also built around 6 miles of fencing nearby so that the wild animals want to use the crossing instead of sprinting across the highway.
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
Source: boredpanda.com