The World's Largest Wildlife Crossing is Now Open in California
A Massive Underpass for Animals
After years of planning and construction, the world's largest wildlife crossing has officially opened in California. The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is a massive underpass that spans 10 lanes of the busy 101 Freeway in the Santa Monica Mountains. The crossing is designed to allow animals to safely cross the freeway, which has been a major barrier to wildlife movement for decades.
A Critical Corridor for Wildlife
The Santa Monica Mountains are home to a diverse array of wildlife, including mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, and deer. These animals need to be able to move freely across the landscape to find food, mates, and shelter. However, the 101 Freeway has been a major obstacle to wildlife movement, causing animals to be killed or injured as they attempt to cross the road.
The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is designed to solve this problem. The crossing is an 8-foot-high, 200-foot-long tunnel that runs beneath the freeway. The tunnel is wide enough to accommodate large animals, and it is planted with native vegetation to create a natural-looking environment.
A Hope for the Future
The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is a major victory for wildlife conservation. The crossing is expected to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by up to 90%, and it will help to connect fragmented wildlife populations. The crossing is also a symbol of hope for the future of wildlife in California. It shows that we can work together to create a more sustainable world for both humans and animals.