Humans Must Learn to Coexist with Wildlife

Animal-Related Collisions Are on the Rise

Most wildlife, especially large animals, need to roam widely to get enough food, to mate, and to raise their young. They cannot stay within property lines, or on one side or another of roadways, and survive from generation to generation. Haphazard urbanization and land development has fragmented their habitats, criss-crossing them with highways and developments that restrict large animal migration, and climate change is altering their food sources as well.

But There Are Solutions

Urbanization, and the development of wildlife corridors, land trusts, and habitat preserves can all be directed by mankind, so that there will always be sufficient interconnected wilderness to support wildlife and their migration patterns, for generations to come, while allowing humans to continue to prosper while preserving the majesty and diversity of the American wilds.

Two Local Examples

Take the Pigeon River Gorge region, just northeast of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Dozens of large animals are attempting to cross the interstate each year, literally to navigate between pastures, mating grounds, and nursery grounds on the opposing sides. Tragically, many do not survive.

Last year was particularly bad for black bears killed on Asheville highways and city streets. It’s such a common occurrence that one man summed it up by remarking: “The only bears I’ve seen in Asheville, are dead ones on the side of the road.” As more animals try to cross our highways, more collisions will happen, putting animals and humans in harm’s way.

We Can Do Better

We can go the local speed limits, which are individually calibrated to avoid collisions. And we can raise our collective voice to legislate wildlife corridors. Overpasses, underpasses and culverts can provide safe passage for wildlife by reconnecting their essential habitats, while improving human safety and decreasing automotive property damage.

What can you do? Urge our representatives to implement wildlife corridors and protect our natural heritage.