General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCalifornia's wildlife bridge became a target for the right. Now it's eyeing the finish line
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/25/california-wildlife-crossing-constructionKatharine Gammon in Los Angeles
Unhindered by critics who called the $114m project 'a bridge to nowhere', a gigantic throughway allowing animals to cross a busy freeway is close to completion

An aerial view of the construction site of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing over the 101 freeway on Wednesday in Agoura Hills, California. Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images
When the project broke ground four years ago, enthusiasm was high. The wildlife crossing in northern Los Angeles county would be the largest of its kind in the world, providing safe passage for mountain lions, bobcats and lizards.
But in recent weeks, the bridge has landed in the news for the wrong reasons. The Murdoch-owned California Post published an op-ed in March, penned by two writers from the conservative Manhattan Institute, that criticized the $114m project for going over budget, calling it a "jobs program for environmentalists" and a "multimillion-dollar bridge to nowhere". Other conservative commentators piled on, from Fox News to Trump's transportation secretary, Sean Duffy.
Beth Pratt, California regional executive director with the National Wildlife Federation and the public face of the crossing, said the backlash was swift. She began to receive messages painting her as a moron and a cat lady, and even threatening her physical safety. "The hate was really ugly," she says. "We had to contact law enforcement."
Despite the spate of rightwing hate, the wildlife crossing has found a finish line. The project will be officially "open for animal business" on 2 December, Pratt announced at an event for Earth Day this week.
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RandomNumbers
(19,220 posts)Maybe they should try hitting a deer at high speed some time* and they will realize it isn't all about the deer.
* no they should not ... but such idiots may eventually experience it anyway, and maybe then they'll fucking wake up.
And let's be clear, for anyone who has a fucking clue how life works on this planet, it isn't all about the wildlife anyway, outside of the reduction of collisions. And oh yeah, maybe humans ought to care a little about other species, just because ... it is life ... but no.
(lots of f words this morning ... because I woke up and the sick fuck is still not dead or in jail)
calimary
(90,411 posts)Its something I, too, wake up with, every morning.
And I bet were nowhere near alone in that.
I just figure he has US ALL waiting. Including Satan.
AZJonnie
(3,854 posts)But you pretty much said what I would have, so I'll skip my own, other than to say "what you said", and add FUCK THESE FUCKING FUCKERS who threatened the woman in charge of the project
Now we're pretty even-steven on the f-bomb-count
IbogaProject
(6,003 posts)And they can't make that connection. They just want small tiny things to fret over rather their their own tiny things, they never have any coherent ideas about how to grow the economy. They always see this as being taken from someone else, rather than maybe growing the economy by taking a sliver from the wealthy and creating some jobs where the proceeds get spent quick.
cbabe
(6,721 posts)Cries of delight as Sumatran orangutan filmed using canopy bridge to cross road for first time
After a two-year wait, video of a young male crossing above a road gives hope that critically endangered species can survive habitat fragmentation
The age of extinction is supported by
theguardian.org
Isaaq Tomkins
Sat 25 Apr 2026 01.00 EDT
The critically endangered Sumatran orangutan has been filmed for the first time using a canopy bridge to cross a road.
In 2024, conservationists in the Pakpak Bharat district of North Sumatra in Indonesia built the bridge high over the Lagan-Pagindar road, which provides an essential route for local people but which became a barrier for animals.
Natural crossing was impossible for wildlife, said Erwin Alamsyah Siregar, director of Tangguh Hutan Khatulistiwa (TaHuKah), the environmental organisation that helped install the bridge.
For two years, the Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS) and TaHuKah, its local partner, had been watching camera-trap footage of the bridge, waiting for the day that an orangutan would finally cross.
amazing video at link more .
(Were all in this together.)
erronis
(24,179 posts)when we need it. And I think that is now.
homegirl
(1,975 posts)Public Broadcasting Channel for a documentary named "Wilding". You will understand that we need nature and the world would endure without us!
erronis
(24,179 posts)paleotn
(22,495 posts)And why they're a cancer in this society.
popsdenver
(2,433 posts)Republicans loathe these game crossings.........It cuts down dramatically on the road kill they can scrape up and serve for dinners...anything less than five days old is useable.......any wildlife run over more than two times is the best, nice and tenderized.....Doesn't RFK Jr. have a roadkill cookbook for sale??????????
Jerry2144
(3,293 posts)And Grilled.
popsdenver
(2,433 posts)but I was thinking more of the ground crawlers......racoons, rabbits, etc.....
BTW:....The most lethal animals in America, responsible for a lot human deaths every year, are the Deer, Elk, Moose, and Cattle that are hit by a motor vehicle. Their legs get hit, but their bodies are up so high, they come thru the front windshield like a cement wall. Then there are always the unbelievably stupid humans, who go up to a Buffalo or Moose to try and pet them.....almost always a 100% "game over" for the human.....
Jerry2144
(3,293 posts)But yes. Those big ones are dangerous. It's wild burros, wild mustangs, Bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelopes here in the desert of southern Nevada that are a big danger. Plus the occasional cow
jfz9580m
(17,499 posts)The Manhattan Institute, California Post etc are filled with parasitic, brainless grifters whose main job is sucking up to oligarchs. Who are they to question the legitimacy of actually cool projects and people like these.
Go Beth. Whats wrong with being a catlady?
The left has overall been too polite..I myself am exiting the robo-called hostage phase of my existence finally.
I mean - obligatory - yeah I know there are decent conservatives etc etc. But one means these creeps and the like. At the very least, in their conservative hats people like these are jackasses and it is unclear if they have any others.
hunter
(40,782 posts)... especially those with guns.
Doc_Technical
(3,767 posts)hamsterjill
(17,680 posts)That's all them sombitches know how to do.
They have no understanding of the basic concept that every species on planet earth is tied to the existence of other species.
wolfie001
(7,851 posts)flashman13
(2,483 posts)It's funny how the word "conservative" is applied to so many people and things that have nothing to do with saving or preserving.
How about nature for natures sake? How about beauty for beauty's sake? How about saving what little is left earth's living, breathing beings?
Attilatheblond
(9,086 posts)Not sure where to look for data on the financial costs to insurers of auto/wildlife accident costs but I imagine it's a load of money.
flashman13
(2,483 posts)MerryBlooms
(12,350 posts)flashman13
(2,483 posts)paulrevere2018
(87 posts)And avoiding accidents when our supply of tomahawk missles need replenishing?? /s
mwmisses4289
(4,493 posts)Cons who don't live in CA are complaining about something good for both humans and wildlife? What are they, russian bots?
Stupid shits.
Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(136,572 posts)It's quite a success. Murdoch should take his wrinkly old ass back to Australia.
MurrayDelph
(5,762 posts)but still have to go back at least quarterly, and have been staying at hotels just west (North? The 101 is weird up there) of the construction. I've enjoyed watching the progress on this project.
thought crime
(1,703 posts)Another disgrace is that there are so few pedestrian bridges over highways and busy streets.
Ligyron
(8,009 posts)Im visiting Ventura. and I would like to go to the pier but the first bridge to get across the one is like 2 miles from here.
I dont mind a brisk walk, but thats ridiculous.
NBachers
(19,527 posts)dobleremolque
(1,126 posts)NBachers
(19,527 posts)That's My California!

Quanto Magnus
(1,361 posts)way more of these!
cksmithy
(499 posts)The first time I saw a animal crossing like that was driving to Banff National Park, possibly 15 years ago.
It's about time we have them here in California. We have hawks, owls, foxes, raccoons and possums in our 100+ year old Fresno, CA neighborhood.
UpInArms
(55,151 posts)Is trying to destroy the country
wendyb-NC
(4,711 posts)They are such a brilliant idea, they save wild animals and help prevent motor vehicle accidents. I do not understand why anybody with common sense would be against something that will make roads safer, and save lives (human and animal) along with money to replace or repair a vehicle involved in a collision with wildlife.
mwmisses4289
(4,493 posts)They have no sense, common or otherwise.
BlueWaveNeverEnd
(14,640 posts)BeneteauBum
(643 posts)Unless there is an immediate personal gain, a lot of people will bitch about any expenditure
..especially by us tree huggers. As a retired estuarine biologist, I received a lot of criticism in meetings and while working in the field. Seems to be the right wing credo
..
Peace ☮️
LtTx
(83 posts)We have over 30 animal crossing bridges and more planned!
GiqueCee
(4,513 posts)... the right-wing shitstains to find fault with anything that doesn't directly benefit their wallets at the expense of everyone else. FUCK 'em. Sideways.
Raine
(31,213 posts)it will also save human lives by not having wildlife crashing thru your windshield!
Bev54
(13,483 posts)by not hitting animals on the highway or swerving to miss animals. JFC do any of these people have any brains at all?
love_katz
(3,270 posts)CONservatives have either shit for brains or no brains at all. The only thing they use their heads for is as a hat rack.
SpankMe
(3,736 posts)Another significant chunk is from the state of California (Dep't of Fish and Wildlife). Californians are overwhelmingly in favor of the crossing, including the citizens of the area it's located in, Agoura Hills. The feds are funding a part as well, but nowhere near the full cost.
Agoura Hills is reddish in it's voting patterns, but happens to be represented by Dems both in the Cali senate and Assembly.
Luckily, the fuckers who wrote and printed the piece (Manhattan Institute and California Post (which no one I know has ever heard of)) won't have any effect on it's completion aand opening.
The regressiveness of the right is on full display.
Aussie105
(8,069 posts)Tunnels under roads for smaller ground dwelling native animals work too.
The orangutan rope bridge is a classic too.
https://www.iflscience.com/first-footage-of-endangered-orangutan-crossing-road-using-rope-bridge-is-a-conservation-win-83299