Bridging the Gap: Banff's Wildlife Crossings Celebrate Over 20 Years of Conservation Success
In November of 2022, Parks Canada commemorated the 20th anniversary of a groundbreaking initiative in Banff National Park—the construction of the first-ever wildlife overpass. Initially met with skepticism from biologists and citizens, these structures have evolved into a global conservation success story, revolutionizing the way we address the impact of roads on wildlife. The six overpasses and 38 underpasses that now criss-cross the Trans-Canada Highway have not only reduced wildlife collisions by an impressive 80 percent, but have also transformed Banff biologists into world-renowned conservational ecologists. The project has been so successful that the same model has been adopted in Costa Rica, Argentina, and parts of Asia.
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The Evolution of Wildlife Crossings
The creation of Tony Clevenger, a renowned wildlife biologist, the wildlife crossings were met with doubt when they were first introduced. However, after two decades of meticulous research and data collection, Clevenger's work has proven the benefit of these crossings. Scientists from around the world now flock to Banff to learn from their success, as countries grapple with the challenges posed by new roads cutting through precious wilderness areas.
Conservation Impact
Clevenger's research provides compelling evidence of the positive impact of wildlife crossings on biodiversity and road safety. Mortality rates for large carnivores along sections of the highway with overpasses and underpasses are significantly lower by 50-100%. In those same sections, the mortality rates for elk are nearly zero, compared to the mid-1990s when there were an average of 100 elk-vehicle collisions per year.
According to APEGA, collisions with animals in the area have decreased by 80% overall. And, elk and deer collisions are down by 90%.
Canadian Geographic
Unexpected Beneficiaries
The success of Banff's wildlife crossings extends beyond the expected beneficiaries. Surprisingly, 11 species of large mammals, including red foxes, hoary marmots, boreal toads, wolverines, lynx, garter snakes, and beavers, have utilized these structures over 200,000 times. The crossings have not only curbed the direct threat of vehicle collisions but have also mitigated the habitat destruction caused by roads, safeguarding critical migration routes.
Global Relevance
As the world faces an unprecedented surge in new road construction, especially in developing countries, the need for effective wildlife crossings has never been more critical. Rob Ament, a road ecologist at Montana State University, emphasizes that many of these roads are encroaching on globally significant biodiversity hotspots. The success of Banff's model serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for regions facing the challenges of balancing infrastructure development with conservation.
Banff National Park's wildlife crossings stand as a testament to the transformative power of innovative conservation initiatives. As we look ahead to a future with an estimated 25 million kilometers of new roads by 2050, Banff's wildlife crossings offer a beacon of hope, demonstrating that a harmonious coexistence between development and conservation is indeed possible.
The Guardian