# NorCal Wildlife Crossing First Bear Sighting

> First bear spotted using Siskiyou County wildlife crossing weeks before ribbon cutting.
- Title: NorCal Wildlife Crossing First Bear Sighting · Sfgate
- Summary: First bear spotted using Siskiyou County wildlife crossing weeks before ribbon cutting. A black bear was caught on camera using a wildlife crossing on…
- Keywords: siskiyou county, wildlife crossing, black bear, highway 97, road ecology center, uc davis, california department of fish and wildli, gov gavin newsom, senate bill 1250, news, local, NorCal
- Source: Sfgate — https://sfgate.com/bayarea/article/norcal-wildlife-crossing-bear-22463972.php
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: siskiyou county, wildlife crossing, black bear, highway 97, road ecology center, uc davis, california department of fish and wildli, gov gavin newsom, senate bill 1250, news, local
## 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.
## Key takeaway

A black bear was caught on camera using a wildlife crossing on Highway 97 in Siskiyou County ahead of its grand opening.