Posted on 01/03/2010 2:07:46 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
THE Roads and Traffic Authority has proudly announced the success of a road safety program - for our State's native wildlife.
To reduce the number of animals killed on NSW roads each year, the RTA has installed more than 200 animal crossings on NSW highways.
Rather than wait for a break in the constant flow of traffic, native animals are using specifically built tunnels and bridges to cross roads.
And some of Australia's favourite native creatures have been smiling for the cameras as they scurry by.
A little possum was snapped crossing over a rope bridge that hangs above the Pacific Highway on the Mid North Coast which the RTA installed four years ago.
Since the bridge's unveiling, the RTA estimates it has been used by wildlife pedestrians at least 250 times.
"Roads can be hazardous for slow-moving animals, such as koalas, and also for drivers who may brake or swerve suddenly to avoid (hitting) animals (crossing the roads)," an RTA spokesman said.
"Building habitat connections like overhead wire-rope bridges across highways helps maintain healthy and genetically diverse native animal populations," he added.
Jilea Carney, spokeswoman for WIRES Australia, said the tunnels and overpasses were essential to help reduce the animal road toll.
"We need to give wildlife every possible chance and there are a number of road-kill hot spots around the State and the (wildlife) toll at the hot spots is quite high," she said.
"Where (safety) diversions have been installed, such as possum crossings and tunnels, that wildlife road toll decreases."
Ms Carney said loss of habitat is one of the most common impacts threatening Australia's native animal populations, and road construction contributed to that.
The first native animal crossings were built under the F3 Freeway about 20 years ago.
Since then, bridges and tunnels have been constructed at different locations around the State to maintain habitat connections for threatened populations and to minimise the impact of road construction on the environment.
Animal crossings can be spotted at Bonville Bypass near Coffs Harbour and the Hume Highway duplication near Holbrook.
I can see providing safe access for Koala bears, but shouldn’t they be thinking of the buzzards? By saving possum, they are taking away a rare treat.
A “rare treat” wasn’t exactly the phrase that comes to mind ,in regard to the possum ,that became wedged in our bathroom wall!
Good post, thanks. Good for them for doing it.
Of course, they may be too stupid or too drunk to use them.
STINK””””””” did it?
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