From Sfgate · · 1m 20s
NorCal Wildlife Crossing First Bear Sighting
First bear spotted using Siskiyou County wildlife crossing weeks before ribbon cutting.
In brief
First bear spotted using Siskiyou County wildlife crossing weeks before ribbon cutting. A black bear was caught on camera using a wildlife crossing on Highway 97 in Siskiyou County ahead of its grand opening. Originally reported by Sfgate.
First bear sighting
A black bear was caught on camera using a wildlife crossing on Highway 97 at least twice.
“A black bear was caught on camera using a wildlife crossing on Highway 97 at least twice.”
Wildlife crossing project
The bridge is approximately 100 feet long and 140 feet wide, designed as safe passage for wildlife rather than forcing them across a two-lane highway.
Wildlife collisions
Between 2015 and 2020, vehicles killed 16 elk and more than 50 deer along Highway 97 near the Klamath National Forest.
Ribbon cutting date
The wildlife crossing is scheduled to have its grand opening on Tuesday in Weed.
Bear activity
The bear was spotted while construction was still wrapping up in late September, prepping for hibernation starting around October.
Expert opinion
Fraser Shilling, director of the UC Davis Road Ecology Center, said the crossing saves animals from deadly vehicle collisions.
Wildlife crossing design
The crossing includes an overcrossing, undercrossing, and miles of fencing to keep animals off the road, with the overcrossing and undercrossing a little over a mile apart.
The big picture
A black bear was caught on camera using a wildlife crossing on Highway 97 in Siskiyou County ahead of its grand opening.
