If you’ve ever driven through Alberta, especially Banff National Park, you might’ve noticed some special structures that blend the raw wilderness of the Rocky Mountains together with urban highway design. These overpasses, also called wildlife crossings, are part of a unique and revolutionary system designed to keep both people and wildlife safe.
Four Ways to Keep Wildlife Safe While Visiting Alberta
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Banff’s world-famous wildlife crossings are a conservation success story, saving the lives of countless animals. The crossings are just one of the many ways officials and visitors can protect Alberta’s nearly 600 species of animals and keep them wild for generations to come.
- Alberta’s wildlife crossings have reduced vehicle-wildlife collisions by more than 80 per cent.
- Scientists study wildlife behaviour through remote cameras and other monitoring efforts.
- Visitors play a big role in keeping wildlife and future travellers safe.
What are wildlife crossings?
Wildlife crossings are special bridges or tunnels, designed in combination with fencing systems, that help prevent animals from wandering onto busy highways where they’re at high risk of colliding with vehicles. Providing a safe way for wildlife to cross these roads ensures their continued access to adequate sources of food, water and shelter, while facilitating seasonal migration patterns.
Alberta’s Bow Valley is considered one of the most important wildlife connectors in the world. It’s part of the Yellowstone to Yukon region, which spans five American states, four Canadian provinces and territories and more than 75 Indigenous territories. This protected landscape of over 1.3 million square kilometres (500,000 sq mi) represents the most intact large mountain region in North America.
“National parks sort of have conservation and preservation of biodiversity as key mandates,” says Tim Johnson, Landscape Connectivity Specialist with not-for-profit organization Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y), who notes these efforts also benefit visitors to the parks.
“We come to the mountains hoping or expecting to see some of those iconic species like grizzly bears and black bears. To keep these wildlife healthy and thriving, we need to give them the space they need and give them ways to move across the landscape safely.”
Trevor Kinley, an Environmental Assessment Scientist with Parks Canada, says the crossings also help change wildlife behaviour. “As roads get really busy, animals often stop trying to cross the road,” he says. “Sometimes it’s not just a matter of continuing to allow animals to cross the highway. We’reactually getting them to cross when they otherwise would have stopped.”
Spot the world-leading structures throughout Banff
Banff National Park has a total of 44 wildlife crossing structures (six overpasses and 38 underpasses) – the highest concentration anywhere in the world. Since the first two overpasses were completed in 1996, the crossings have reduced vehicle-wildlife collisions by more than 80 per cent. For hooved animals like elk and deer, collisions have been reduced by more than 96 per cent. Banff’s program has become a worldwide conservation success story, catching the attention of scientists from both near and far.
“Alberta’s wildlife crossings are iconic. Every textbook, every article will reference the overpasses. It’s just been kind of a shining example of what you can do.”
Similar projects have been completed in Kootenay National Park and Yoho National Park in neighbouring British Columbia, and experts from places like Mongolia, Argentina and China have travelled to Alberta to learn more about the crossings and how they can implement similar ones in their own countries.
Christmas Island, a territory of Australia, has one of the most unique examples of such crossings. In addition to road closures and other initiatives, special bridges were built to help to support the annual red crab migration. Every year, millions of crabs emerge from the forest, crossing roads, streams, rocks and beaches to breed. It’s the island’s biggest tourist attraction – one that world-renowned naturalist Sir David Attenborough called one of his greatest TV moments.
Many European countries also use different types of crossing structures to support wildlife connectivity and reduce vehicle-wildlife conflict.
Different animals prefer different types of crossings
Eleven species of animals have been recorded using the crossings more than 200,000 times over the years, including grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, coyotes, cougars, moose, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, wolverine and lynx. Smaller species are also taking advantage of the crossings, including martin, hare and even a flock of birds.
“Some animals are very comfortable to use the narrower underpasses, even if it's just a narrow culvert,” says Johnson. “Whereas others need something a little bit wider to be comfortable.”
Research has shown that grizzly bears, elk, moose and deer prefer using overpass crossings, while black bears and cougars seem to prefer long, low and narrow crossings like tunnels.
Alberta’s wildlife crossings are closely monitored through Parks Canada’s ecological monitoring program. Wildlife webcams and remote cameras capture animals in the wild, collecting data to monitor wildlife populations, changes in behaviour and movement patterns. This data, along with other monitoring efforts, help experts determine the best locations for future crossings. “Looking at the data of where animals are moving, where they’re getting hit, looking at the land on either side of the highway… once those factors are assessed, planners can determine the best spots to put crossings to be the most effective at keeping animals off the road,” says Johnson.
Some wildlife even start using the crossings before they’re complete. Elk were the first large species to take to them, crossing overpasses while they were still under construction. As animals in the region become more used to the structures, we’re starting to see this happen more often. The new Stoney Nakoda Exshaw overpass, just east of Canmore, is expected to be completed this fall and is already being used by local wildlife. Two additional future crossings in the area were announced in summer 2024.
How to keep wildlife safe during your visit
The diverse wildlife that call Alberta home are one of the many reasons visitors from around the world travel to this province. It’s an incredible feeling to spot a grizzly bear on the side of the highway, surrounded by magnificent mountain peaks and shimmering turquoise lakes. But everyone who passes through these habitats shares in the responsibility of keeping wildlife safe.
As you explore these special places, be sure to follow these guidelines to keep both yourself and wildlife safe.
Prevent “bear jams”
Traffic jams, often referred to as “bear jams” in Alberta, happen when drivers stop on the highway to view bears or other wildlife. While it can be tempting to pull over and snap a few photos of these majestic creatures, doing so can be hazardous. Not only is it unsafe for you to get too close, but these sorts of encounters also habituate wildlife to vehicles and people, teaching them not to fear either. That can result in increased risk of vehicle-wildlife collisions and human-wildlife conflict.
If you spot bears or other wildlife along the road, slow down, stay in your vehicle and keep moving.
Stay on designated trails and travel in groups
There are plenty of trails throughout Alberta that are not maintained, and these areas can offer exceptional experiences. But these unofficial trails can often encroach on sensitive wildlife habitats. Staying on designated trails – and keeping your pets on leash – can take you to interesting locations while keeping you safe from hazards and protecting the environment.
And because the Canadian Rockies are in bear country, it’s important to be bear smart. Carrying and knowing how to use bear spray, making noise and hiking with groups will all reduce your odds of a negative bear encounter and prevent bears from becoming habituated to people.
Before you head out, be sure to check Alberta Parks and Parks Canada trail reports for any advisories or closures.
Leave no trace
We all have a responsibility to care for the environment so that we can continue enjoying Alberta’s natural wonders for generations. Following the principles of “leave no trace” can minimize human impact on sensitive habitats:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
Let wildlife stay wild
Alberta’s national and provincial park systems protect nearly 600 species of animals. Wild animals can look cute and cuddly, but remember, they’re still wild. Always keep your distance and never attempt to feed or pose with them. If they are reacting to your presence, you are too close. Give wildlife space and respect for the best experience.
If you want to increase your chances of seeing wildlife in Alberta, a guided experience is a great option. Local experts know the best places and practices for viewing wildlife and can teach you about the area’s history and culture.
By learning more about the areas you plan to visit and the wildlife that call these places home, you can be part of Alberta’s conservation success story.
