In the busy hills of Los Angeles, where stars of Hollywood live, another kind of celebrity roams the mighty mountain lions of Southern California.
Top predators, also known as pumas or cougars, have shared their home with LA glitterati for a long time. Wide-spreading urbanization and threats of climate change have put their very existence at risk.
In a bold move to save these creatures, construction is underway for the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing: a bridge over the 10-lane Highway 101 to let the region's wildlife pass safely.
A Lifeline To The Local Fauna (Photo : FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is more than a bridge; it's a lifeline. Scheduled to open in 2025, it will reconnect fragmented habitats of the Santa Monica Mountains with wilderness areas to the north, severed by Highway 101 construction some 60 years ago.
This separation has led to a significant decrease in the genetic diversity among native species and has put mountain lions at high risk of an "extinction vortex."
.It will be a secure path for mountain lions and all other fauna in the region, right down to small birds like wrentits with tiny wings that are no match for wind currents created by the freeway.
This now well-over-halfway completed first-phase project is a beacon of hope for the future of wildlife in the area-what California's commitment to conservation looks like. It promises a brighter future for the local fauna, where they can thrive in their natural habitats.
The world's largest wildlife crossing is a prime example of this public-private partnership. In addition to $58.1 million from the state of California, more than $34 million was raised through philanthropy, making this project a shining example of concerted effort.
Fast becoming the flagship for Gov. Gavin Newsom's infrastructure agenda to build more and quicker, the crossing is.
As beams go up and a bridge takes shape, the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing will rise as a testament to future generations for a California whose natural beauty and biodiversity are preserved for all to enjoy.
It is more than just a project reconnecting habitat physically; it is a powerful tool for raising awareness about the importance of conservation among millions of Californians.
It is a step towards advancing the state's 30x30 goal: to conserve 30% of its lands and coastal waters by 2030.The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is more than a bridge.
It's a monument to demonstrate how humans and wildlife coexist harmoniously.
Opening day is not quite here yet, but it reminds us of the delicate balance that holds life together and our responsibility toward caring for it.
What other wildlife will benefit from this crossing?
The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is iconic for its innovation in conservation. When it is completed, this crossing will top the list as the most critical wildlife corridor in the world.
This monumental construction will bring out a safe passage for the elusive bobcats, apart from the circulation of the mountain lions, another keystone in rodent menace regulation.
On the other hand, the second crossing will benefit coyotes, being an urban adapter, on the maintenance of the gene pool, hence reducing the chances of road kills.
In this underpass, fence lizards and many other small reptiles would have dropped the risk of moving along the freeway areas.
The opportunity, however, is gained from mule deer, increasing its species' range, which is vital in foraging and breeding practices by being an essential keystone species in proper ecosystem function.
The crossing is designed to blend in with the environment by using native vegetation to give the animals cover and urge them into natural behavior.
The project involved the combined knowledge and leadership of dozens of organizations and institutions. It exemplifies how urban wildlife conservation can be implemented, leaving hope for it. It is a model for future undertakings worldwide.
The bridge is expected to be completed by 2026. It will be one of the world's examples of urban wildlife conservation, where many isolated species have been conserved.
