Foreign Property News | Posted by Si Thu Aung
Imagine cruising down a 10-lane highway and knowing that, high above your head, a mountain lion is quietly going along its way. This remarkable image could soon be reality for drivers on one of California’s busiest roads, as the world’s largest wildlife overpass begins construction this month.
The history-making project will comprise a green bridge built across the 101 highway near Los Angeles, creating a corridor between two parts of the Santa Monica mountains.
Stretching 210ft long and 165ft wide, the overpass will allow safe passage for lizards, snakes, toads and mountain lions, with an acre of local plants on either side and vegetated sound walls to dampen light and noise for nocturnal animals as they slip across.
Highways in this car-heavy landscape crisscross critical habitat for the protected mountain lions and other animals, forcing them to make what can be deadly crossings. At least 25 of the big cats have been killed on Los Angeles freeways since 2002.
The latest death was just weeks ago, on 23 March, when a young lion was struck and killed on the Pacific Coast highway. Beth Pratt, a conservation leader with the National Wildlife Federation, feels as if she is running the last mile of a marathon.
Pratt has spent most of the last decade planning the project, persuading transportation officials of its importance, and bringing together stakeholders and donors to fund it.
“I’m a little dizzy still, but I feel relieved: we have the chance to give these mountain lions a shot at a future.”
(A rendering of the wildlife bridge crossing, which will feature native plants and vegetated walls. Photograph: AP)
Ref: Animal crossing: world’s biggest wildlife bridge comes to California highway (theguardian)
Photo Credit: AP
