Wildlife Underpass Sees Unexpectedly Heavy Traffic

KESQ 3 ^ | 7/5/06

[beyond the sea]

LA HABRA HEIGHTS, Calif. How did the bobcat cross the road? In Puente Hills, it's the same way the coyotes, deer and other animals crossed: through the wildlife underpass beneath Harbor Boulevard.

The one-point-two million dollar underpass was unveiled on June First to give the animals an alternative to dashing across the boulevard.

Researchers say they're surprised that the 20-foot-wide, 160-foot-long tunnel is already well traveled by animals traveling between the Whittier Narrows nature area and the Cleveland National Forest.

Even notoriously skittish deer started using the tunnel just a couple weeks after it was built, without incentives like scents, grains and plants to lure them across.

[beyond the sea]

This is pretty nice!

;-)

[beyond the sea]

going underground ................. ping

[Khurkris]

"If you build it...they will come."

[Past Your Eyes]

That doesn't make scents.

[beyond the sea]

LOL ............ I wish I would have said that.

;-)

Best I can come up with: 'Your Tax Dollars at Work'

Seriously, I think this is a great idea. I heard it on the radio yesterday and was surprised to check this morning and find that no one had posted about this already.

So, this project makes it safer for the drivers and the animals. Good.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

I bet it does...and scat, too...

[beyond the sea]

The one-point-two million dollar underpass was unveiled on June First to give the animals an alternative to dashing across the boulevard.

The Coyote Underground

[beyond the sea]

coyote ping

[wita]

So, how long before the cougars, and coyotes, wise up and start requiring a toll?

[Vaquero]

good place to post.

[CalvaryJohn]

I think they tried this in Banff NP and it failed. Of course, the geniuses up there used overpasses.

[beyond the sea]

"overpasses" --- LOL

[Khurkris]

Thanks. I moved from HN amd the OC in 2004 and remember stories about this under construction.

So you were a "Lighting Fast Chicken ..."? I knew a few of them in VN. Some MC Intercepts in Phu Bai (Phu Bai is alll-riiight!) and some others in Thailand...on the "back side of the runway."

Remember any carbon paper 'flame on' games?

[Khurkris]

Make that ..."HB and the OC"...

[riverrunner]

Sounds like a good place to place a couple of leg hold traps during season.

[prisoner6]

BINGO! Exactly what I was thinking. Predator animals will start hanging around waiting for lunch. Hen lets see how many deer use it.

prisoner6

[beyond the sea]

Skunks will never use this underpass .... they're always arguing with each other about crossing the road. They always like to raise a stink.

[stocksthatgoup]

[beyond the sea]

Ouch.

[beyond the sea]

So, how long before the cougars, and coyotes, wise up and start requiring a toll?

Unionization couldn't be too far away.

;-)