Innovating Conservation: The Story of Wildlife Crossings in Banff National Park

Wildlife Crossings Key to Highway Safety in Banff

Banff National Park: A Pioneering Solution for Wildlife Safety

The Story of Wildlife Crossings in Banff National Park

As highway systems have expanded across North America, the intersection of roads and wildlife habitats has led to a significant problem: collisions between vehicles and animals. These incidents, involving creatures as large as elk and as small as snakes, not only pose dangers to both drivers and animals but also disrupt the natural migration routes of wildlife. In response to this challenge, Banff National Park in Canada has implemented an innovative solution: wildlife crossings. For over two decades, these crossings have successfully mitigated the impact of the Trans-Canada Highway on local wildlife.

The concept of wildlife crossings in Banff National Park emerged in 1978. The Public Works department, grappling with increasing car traffic through the park, proposed a solution to ease congestion: twinning a section of the Trans-Canada Highway. While this development did alleviate traffic problems, it inadvertently heightened the risk of wildlife-vehicle collisions. To address this new issue, a series of wildlife overpasses and underpasses were introduced, providing animals with safe passage across the highway.

The initial phase saw the construction of several underpasses in the 1980s, followed by the first overpasses in 1996-97. Today, the park boasts 48 wildlife crossing structures over 88 kilometers (55 miles) of the twinned highway, including 41 underpasses and seven overpasses, accompanied by extensive highway fencing designed to keep animals off the road. These crossings, resembling grassy hilltops adorned with trees and flowers, seamlessly blend into the natural landscape, providing a safe corridor for wildlife.

The effectiveness of these crossings has been remarkable. Since their implementation, wildlife collisions have decreased by 80%, with deer and elk benefiting the most, experiencing a 96% reduction in incidents. These structures have facilitated over 200,000 crossings by 13 large mammal species, including bears, cougars, lynx, beavers, and toads. The success of Banff’s wildlife crossings has not only enhanced local conservation efforts but also served as an inspiration for similar projects worldwide.

The success of Banff’s wildlife crossings has drawn international attention. Researchers and conservationists from countries like the U.S., China, and Argentina have visited the park to study and adapt these crossings for their own needs. This pioneering model, initially designed to protect species like foxes and elk in Canada, is now being adapted to safeguard diverse species such as tapirs in Belize, crabs in Australia, and grizzlies on the Flathead Reservation in the United States.

On the 20th anniversary of the first wildlife crossings, researcher Tony Clevenger lauded the initiative, calling it “Canada’s biggest conservation success story” and highlighting its significance as the largest highway mitigation complex in the world. The wildlife crossings in Banff National Park stand as a testament to innovative thinking and dedicated conservation efforts, demonstrating how human infrastructure can coexist harmoniously with natural ecosystems.

As the world continues to expand its highway systems, the wildlife crossings of Banff National Park offer a valuable blueprint for protecting wildlife and preserving the natural balance. These structures not only ensure the safety of animals and drivers but also underscore the importance of sustainable development in our ever-changing world.