For the primary time since a wildlife underpass was completed in Santa Cruz County, California, wildlife cameras captured video footage of a puma crossing safely beneath Freeway 17.
In keeping with the Land Belief of Santa Cruz County, whereas many pumas have been caught on digicam within the surrounding space, this current video is the primary documented use of the wildlife underpass by a mountain lion. That is momentous, as a result of the tunnel was constructed largely to guard these huge cats, that are identified by a number of monikers, together with pumas, cougars, and mountain lions.
NBC Information reported that the Laurel Curve Wildlife Crossing Mission, which started in spring 2022 and wrapped up early in 2023, price round $12 million. The objective, in line with the Land Belief of Santa Cruz County, was to attach lands on each side of Freeway 17 throughout the Santa Cruz Mountain Vary. In doing so, the underpass has already helped to guard each wildlife and people.
NBC reported that over the previous 10 years, greater than 20 pumas and 95 deer have been struck and killed close to Laurel Curve on Freeway 17. After the underpass opened—in truth, inside an hour of wildlife cameras being put in within the tunnel—a bobcat was recorded passing via.
Apart from bobcats and the lately noticed puma, the Land Belief says cameras have additionally captured footage of deer, grey foxes, and skunks utilizing the tunnel to soundly cross beneath the freeway.
A wildlife survey spanning practically a decade preceded the opening of the Laurel Curve underpass, which helped officers decide one of the best placement for the tunnel. A corporation referred to as Pathways for Wildlife offered key information from path cameras in regards to the wildlife within the space, in addition to the animals’ motion patterns.
This primary puma crossing provides to the underpass’s victory as a key wildlife hall within the space, defending each motorists and animals—and preserving their capacity to co-exist.
