A Formidable Barrier to Black Bears and Other Wildlife in Oregon

The Klamath-Siskiyou region of southern Oregon and northwestern California contains exceptional biodiversity. The east-west orientation of the Siskiyou Mountain Range provides a critical connection between the Cascade Mountains and the temperate rain forests of the western coastal ranges, creating many ecologically-distinct habitats. But bisecting this connection is a formidable segment of Interstate-5.

This stretch of I-5 between Ashland, Oregon and the California border creates a significant barrier for wildlife movement, contributing to the more than 7,000 wildlife-vehicle collisions that occur each year in Oregon. Wildlands Network recently joined the Southern Oregon Wildlife Crossing Coalition to make this section of road safer for both wildlife and drivers.

Photo by Zach Schwartz.

During a recent field visit, the coalition and I toured the stretch of highway to survey six potential locations to construct overpasses and underpasses. We also reviewed images and videos captured by cameras positioned at several of the potential sites, including culverts, a small road undercrossing, and a railroad overcrossing. The road also has a narrow median, meaning that any newly-constructed over- or under-pass wouldn’t need to span too great a distance. The wildlife cameras positioned at several sites revealed an array of species, including deer, elk, coyotes, foxes, squirrels, skunks, bobcats, black bears, and mountain lions.

Sadly, while on the tour, we came across a stark reminder why this area so desperately needs wildlife crossings: a black bear had been struck and killed in the past 24 hours, no more than a half-mile from one of the proposed crossing locations. Seeing firsthand the consequences wildlife face from attempting to navigate the treacherous barrier created by I-5 added a sense of urgency to our desire to ensure safe passage for wildlife.

Photo by Zach Schwartz

The Coalition is working towards a study that will allow partners and state agencies to thoughtfully design infrastructure to support wildlife movement, decrease wildlife-vehicle collisions on I-5, and improve connectivity in a critical region. At Wildlands Network we’re supporting the coalition in moving the project forward, working closely with members of the Oregon Legislature to pass legislation providing dedicated funding to wildlife crossing projects —so that species like the black bear, and many others, can have a much better shot at safely traversing this region in the future.