Hidden cameras capture so many animals using a bridge built just for them

Outside of Utah, there’s not much of a connection between a porcupine and a bear, but I-80 is the same route for both.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources came up with a simple approach to prevent traffic accidents and safeguard the area’s furry animals from the six-lane roadway.

The Parley’s Canyon wildlife overpass, a bridge made entirely of rocks, logs, and boulders, opened to the public in December of 2018.

Animals are known to take time to adapt to new environments, and officials expected the bridge to continue in use for many years. Fortunately for the researchers, the animals showed their appreciation for the new approach, and the experiment was an instant success.

The Utah Department of Transportation and Utah State University use a hidden camera to monitor the “traffic” on the overpass — and were pleasantly surprised when they discovered how many lives were saved in 2020.

Animals such as deer and bears were filmed crossing a pebbled walkway in November as they made their way to a new feeding area and new territory.

All of the animals saved by the bridge are listed below:

As the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources wrote on FB, “It’s working.” It is clear that the second year of this overpass has been successful in enabling wildlife to safely move across the busy Interstate 80 and helping drivers be considerably safer as well.

In 2020, six other wildlife crossings and fences will be installed along Utah’s animal migratory pathways as a result of the success of the overpass. No one knows how many lives they’ve saved, but it just goes to show how much good can come from a small act of kindness.

T/H: The DoDo