The Cellar - Dec 26th, 2018 : Coyote Boulevard

People in Washington (the lovely state, not the den of iniquity) apparently like Coyotes. I suppose it could be empathy from
watching Wile E. get screwed by ACME Inc so many times. Or possibly because they look like dogs, man’s best friend, the worlds
best pet. Way better than the Devils spawn cats. http://cellar.org/2012/bwekk.gif
...but I digress.

http://cellar.org/2017/cotote1.jpg

Interstate 90, near Snoqualmie Pass in central Washington, which shuttles traffic through the Cascade Mountains can be
a bumpy and dicey ride. The route is often hazardous and slippery with ice and snow, an average of around 330 inches a year.
Collisions are too often common.

Quote:

“This coyote safely crossed the highway,” the Washington State DOT tweeted, “avoiding traffic, anvils, ACME rockets & roadrunners!” In fact, the animal didn’t have to dodge speeding cars and trucks. In the video tweeted out by the DOT, there’s no trace of asphalt or cars—just dirt, trees, and mountains, and the edge of a bridge on the far right of the frame.
The coyote was the first confirmed user of the state’s newest and largest wildlife bridge, which caters to furry quadrupeds, instead of the quad-wheeled bipeds who cross their paths.

http://cellar.org/2017/coyote3.jpg

Human built roads cut through animal territory and trails they’ve use forever. Dirt roads weren’t a problem but paving produced
increased speeds, bent cars, and dead critters. As roads became wider and faster it reached a point where it’s suicide to try.
PA got 3300 requests for permits to eat roadkill deer this year, but that’s a drop in the bucket compared to the roadkill people
just take or Mother Nature recycles. Then there's critters who get run over eating critters that got run over.

Quote:

That’s where animal infrastructure comes in. But how, exactly, to get animals to buy in is a puzzle. Some animals prefer open-air crossings, while others are comfortable with tunnels, and preferences vary within a species. Researchers studying grizzlies in Banff National Park, for instance, found that bachelor bears were good to amble through culverts under roads, while families were more likely to use an overpass.

http://cellar.org/2017/coyote2.jpg

Quote:

This part of Washington is expanding its highway system—and the number of potential animal crossings—as surrounding areas attract new human residents. The $6 million bridge, which arches 33 feet above the road, is 66 feet wide, and flanked by fencing to dampen noise from cars below. The DOT reports that there are several other overpasses planned or in the works, and that they will also be planted with trees and shrubs to emulate the natural environments on either side. That’s good news for the coyotes, and any other animals that have somewhere to be or just want to stroll safely.

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