Wildlife crossings, also known as ecoducts, play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of animals and motorists in various parts of the world. These structures help reduce the number of wildlife accidents while contributing to the preservation of the animals' natural habitats. The history of ecoducts dates back to 1950 when the first bridge was built in France.
Since then, these bridges and other similar structures, like wildlife crossings, culverts, or tunnels, have become increasingly common worldwide. They have particularly spread in Europe, where, for instance, the world's longest ecoduct is located in the Netherlands. Numerous similar initiatives also exist in North America, including dozens of crossings in Canada's Banff National Park. Interesting examples in the article include Norway's bee highway project, which provides safe nesting and foraging opportunities for bees. On Christmas Island in Australia, the safe migration of red crabs is supported by plastic crossings and the seasonal closure of roads. In Massachusetts, the protection of salamanders is aided by small tunnels through which they can safely cross roads. The effectiveness of ecoducts is evident not only in accident prevention but also in maintaining ecological balance.
For example, an 87% reduction in wildlife accidents in Colorado demonstrates the success of such bridges. The development of these solutions, however, requires extensive planning and cooperation. The article highlights New Zealand as a special example, where volunteers built an underground tunnel for little blue penguins, helping them safely cross busy roads. In summary, ecoducts and similar conservation solutions are critically important in promoting harmonious coexistence between animals and people, and the article presents excellent examples from various countries to showcase their effectiveness.
