In May 2020 Nicki Frey, an Extension assistant professor in the S.J & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, and her undergraduate researcher, Natalie D’Souza, began monitoring wildlife use of a new overpass crossing I-80 in Parley’s Canyon in Summit County, Utah.
In May 2020 Nicki Frey, an Extension assistant professor in the S.J & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, and her undergraduate researcher, Natalie D’Souza, began monitoring wildlife use of a new overpass crossing I-80 in Parley’s Canyon in Summit County, Utah.
The overpass was created in 2018 in response to increased vehicle traffic through the canyon and increased wildlife vehicle collisions. More narrow and higher above the freeway than most wildlife crossing structures in the country, many people believed that it would be years before the overpass was used by local wildlife, if at all. Frey and D’Souza are excited to report that isn’t the case at all.
Since May, Frey and D’Souza have documented more than 1,200 instances of wildlife use, of 17 different mammal species and at least five bird species. Importantly, deer and elk are using the overpass, which has positive implications for migration. Additionally, black bear, mountain lions, bobcats and coyotes also frequent the overpass.
Read more at: Utah State University
Photo Credit: yamabon via Pixabay
