Our Top 5 Stories of 2024
2024 saw important progress for wildlife connectivity across North America, including novel research published and breakthrough policies passed. To remember these impacts, we compiled our most-read stories of the year, highlighting 2024’s trending topics from wildlife crossings to endangered red wolves to bipartisan wildlife policy. Read on to celebrate a great year with us!
#1 A Call for Crossings: The High Toll for Red Wolves
A pack of red wolves running through a foggy North Carolina morning. Video by Wildlands Network
Recognize these wolves? They’re some of the last remaining red wolves in the wild. In 2024, cars were one of the highest causes of mortality among this critically endangered population, fatally hitting five adult wolves since October, 2023 with another litter of five pups passing in September, 2024 after their father was hit. In our top-viewed story of the year, you can hear our resounding call for a wildlife crossing to save this species.
For more, you can also find a popular deep dive into their history here.
#2 Navigating Human and Wildlife Activity in Lake Tahoe: A New Study
A bobcat in Lake Tahoe. Video by Pathways for Wildlife
With 15 million annual visitors to Lake Tahoe, these near-misses – and worse – are all too familiar. This study is one of the first to track and map wildlife movement patterns for pine martens and other important species in the Tahoe Basin like coyotes, black bears, porcupines, and more to make the area safer for people and wildlife alike. Learn more about the popular study in this visually compelling story.
#3 Congress Announces the Bipartisan Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act
A herd of elk crossing a highway into oncoming traffic. Video by Adobe Stock
After months of negotiations, we were thrilled to see this critical bipartisan act pass – as were our readers. This bill helps secure wildlife movement across the U.S. by strengthening and expanding government programs geared towards improving habitat and migration corridors for big game species. Read on to celebrate with us.
#4 A Groundbreaking Bill, Room to Roam Act, Is Surging Through California Legislature
A mountain lion and her cubs traversing through California. Video by Pathways for Wildlife
Despite protected areas, California’s wildlife like mountain lions, bighorn sheep, deer, and more need safe passage between habitats to survive. In another exciting policy breakthrough, the Room to Roam Act was a first-of-its-kind approach to statewide connectivity that incorporates wildlife movement in local government planning. Check out the story to see this important on-the-ground progress.
#5 In Mexico, Wildlife Crossings Aren’t Just Helpful – They're Urgent
Howler monkeys using a wildlife crossing in Mexico. Video courtesy of Biota Corporativo Ambiental
Biological connectivity faces significant challenges in Mexico, one of the world's megadiverse countries. This story showcases how communities, organizations, and governments are gradually making strides to enable safe movement for species like howler monkeys, jaguars, bears, and javelinas across an increasingly fragmented landscape. Discover the efforts driving change to round out our top stories of the year!
Cover photo by Aspen Stevanovski
