ALLIGATOR RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, N.C. — Once regarded as the primary peril to the only unique wolf species in the U.S., hunters have now been overshadowed by the dangers posed by vehicular traffic. This shift in threats was starkly highlighted last June when male red wolf No. 2444 was fatally struck by a vehicle on U.S. 64, close to Manns Harbor, North Carolina. His unfortunate death likely culminated in the loss of five pups he was nurturing.
Joe Madison, who oversees the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s red wolf recovery program, shared insights during a visit to the location, stating, “We were hopeful that the mother would return to care for the pups, but she never did.” For many years, conservationists have advocated for modifications to U.S. 64, a heavily trafficked two-lane road that cuts through the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, one of only two areas globally where red wolves roam freely.
In late December, proponents of wildlife conservation celebrated as the Federal Highway Administration granted funds under a new $125 million Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program. Should the grants remain intact under President Donald Trump, they will finance upgrades to a 2.5-mile stretch of highway to include fencing and culverts, or small underpasses, to allow safe passage for red wolves and other species, such as black bears and white-tailed deer.
Stuart Pimm, an ecologist from Duke University, who researches wildlife migrations, emphasized the importance of such initiatives, stating, “Creating wildlife bridges or underpasses diminishes human-wildlife conflicts. There’s a growing understanding that preventing traffic accidents is beneficial for both wildlife and humans.” Additional agency grants aim to create crossings for mule deer in Idaho, pronghorn in New Mexico, and cougars and bears in Oregon, among other vital projects.
The U.S. 64 initiative is particularly significant because it seeks not only to minimize collisions and roadkill but also to conserve a critically endangered species. Estimates suggest fewer than 20 red wolves remain in the wild, with their only habitats being the Alligator River and the neighboring Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Madison noted that No. 2444 represented about 7% of the known red wolf population, indicating severe consequences with each loss.
Efforts to curb roadkill and protect endangered species through wildlife crossings have gained traction over the past two decades, receiving widespread bipartisan support. A congressional report highlighted that collisions with large animals cause hundreds of fatalities and incur costs exceeding $8 billion annually.
Researchers have advanced their understanding of how to tailor these crossings to accommodate various species. Arthur Middleton, an ecologist from the University of California, Berkeley, stated, “Pronghorn prefer not to navigate through tunnels or confined spaces, hence they opt for bridges. Conversely, deer are comfortable using underpasses.” In the case of gray wolves and coyotes—presumably red wolves as well—they can utilize underpasses of six to eight feet in diameter. Meanwhile, appropriate fencing plays a critical role in guiding these animals toward the necessary structures.
Successful examples abound; for instance, along U.S. 30 in Wyoming, the installation of seven small underpasses and fencing led to an 81% reduction in mule deer collisions. Similarly, in Canada, wildlife overpasses and underpasses along the Trans-Canada Highway in Banff National Park achieved a remarkable 94% reduction in collisions involving hooved animals. However, the challenge of determining the effectiveness of wildlife crossings in averting species extinctions remains complex.
“Conservation has always played a role, but we’re now witnessing an increase in crossings designed mainly with conservation in mind,” remarked Ben Goldfarb, author of “Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet.” Some of the largest conservation-related crossings have recently been constructed, but evaluating their success will take time.
A notable project near Los Angeles involves a wildlife crossing set to open in 2026, spanning ten lanes of U.S. 101. Its primary objective is to connect mountain lion habitats, allowing for mate mobility. Inbreeding in the Los Angeles area has resulted in genetic mutations and reduced fertility among the mountain lion population. In Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, a wildlife bridge completed in 2020 across BR 101 has been monitored for its use by the endangered golden lion tamarin monkey following the planting of native seedlings intended to support its natural movements.
As for the potential of wildlife crossings to salvage red wolves, the odds remain uncertain. However, researchers assert that inaction is likely to accelerate their decline. Once found across central Texas to southern Iowa and extending to Long Island, New York, Canis rufus, or red wolves, faced extinction in the wild before being reintroduced to North Carolina in 1987. Their population surged to about 120 over two decades, but then plummeted, partially due to vehicle-related fatalities. A study revealed that these collisions accounted for approximately 5% of annual red wolf fatalities from reintroduction until 2022.
Marcel P. Huijser, a co-author of the study and research ecologist at Montana State University’s Western Transportation Institute, highlighted the economic implications of inaction, stating that “the price of losing a wild species could far exceed the cost of implementing effective mitigation strategies.” In North Carolina, Fish and Wildlife biologists have attempted alternative measures for reducing accidents, including flashing road signs and reflective collars, albeit with limited success.
Following the incident involving No. 2444, organizations like the Wildlands Network and the Center for Biological Diversity advocated for innovative solutions. In September, the North Carolina Department of Transportation pursued a grant for the Red Wolf Essential Survival Crossings Under Evacuation Route (RESCUER) project. The strategy for the U.S. 64 wildlife crossing encompasses the development of multiple underpass structures capable of accommodating large mammals, alongside necessary fencing. While specifics of the underpass architecture remain to be finalized, Travis W. Wilson from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission provided updates on the project.
The overall estimated cost for this crucial initiative stands at approximately $31.5 million, with $4 million sourced from private donations and a matching grant from an anonymous contributor. Beth Pratt, the founder of The Wildlife Crossing Fund, expressed optimism about the project’s significance, stating, “This represents one of the most vital wildlife connectivity efforts in the nation. Without intervention, critically endangered red wolves are at risk of extinction.”
