Across Western Canada, wildlife is facing a crisis of connectivity.
Thousands of wildlife–vehicle collisions each year in BC.
Over 5,700 wildlife–vehicle collisions occur annually on BC highways. Although about 75% involve deer, the remaining 25% (over 1,400 collisions per year) involve high-impact species like bears, elk, and moose, many of which are apex predators. (BC Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure) Province of British Columbia
Alarming grizzly mortality linked to human access.
In regions of Alberta contributing to human-caused bear mortality, researchers have identified a strong correlation between road density and grizzly mortality risk. This highlights how vehicle traffic and human access are key drivers of population decline. (Boulanger & Stenhouse, 2019) ResearchGate
High levels of human-caused carnivore mortality.
In broader studies of North American carnivores, including wolves, hunting alone accounts for over 50% of adult male mortality in some populations, and vehicle collisions comprise a large proportion of total human-related deaths. (Gantchoff et al., 2020)
Alarming grizzly mortality linked to human access.
In the U.S., the return of wolves to Yellowstone led to shifts in prey behavior and habitat use, ultimately reducing wildlife, vehicle collisions by 22% within 30 years. While this example is from another region, it illustrates that intact predator-based systems can indirectly reduce collision risks. (Bell, 2024)
Without immediate action to identify, protect, and advocate for safe passage corridors, apex predator populations in Alberta and BC will face continued decline, shrinking genetic diversity, and escalating conflict with people.
This project is needed now to ensure the right landscapes are prioritized for connectivity investments before they are lost to development or rendered unusable by human pressure.
Crossings and fencing save lives.
In Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks, 49 wildlife crossing structures (42 underpasses and 7 overpasses) combined with fencing have cut wildlife–vehicle collisions by more than 80%, and by over 96% for elk and deer. This is proven road-safety and connectivity in action (Parks Canada). Learn about our road safety petition and Nakoda's story.
Corridors prevent isolation.
Parks Canada warns that when valley-bottom corridors in the Bow Valley are squeezed by towns, highways, and rail, wide-ranging species like wolves and grizzlies can become isolated, and ultimately threatened, unless we preserve key wildlife corridors (Parks Canada).
Fragmentation along Highway 3 is real.
Genetic studies show that female grizzlies rarely cross BC’s Highway 3, a sign of demographic fragmentation. Targeted “linkage zones” and crossing retrofits are needed to reconnect populations (Proctor et al., 2012, Ecology and Society; Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y)).
Buffers protect habitat quality.
Canada’s national habitat guidance recommends minimum 30 m vegetated riparian buffers (often more where wildlife use is high) and emphasizes the importance of large interior forest patches (≥200 ha, >100 m from edges). These are practical targets for local buffer design (Government of Canada – How Much Habitat is Enough?).
Species need time to adapt.
Grizzly bears and wolves can take up to five years to regularly use new crossing structures. Planning and financing must anticipate this adoption curve (Parks Canada).
EWC does not construct infrastructure such as overpasses or fencing, that is the role of provincial and federal governments. Instead, our work focuses on research, monitoring, and policy advocacy to ensure the right places are prioritized for investment.
We are building the science case and public momentum for buffer zones and safe passage.
1 | Research for Legal Buffer Zones
We analyze movement data, mortality records, and trail camera footage to identify where buffer zones are most urgently needed, such as park edges, denning areas, and high-conflict corridors. (UNESCO)
2 | Identifying Safe Passage Retrofits
Through research and mapping, we pinpoint priority highways and pinch points where collisions are frequent and connectivity is blocked. We then advocate for the installation of overpasses, underpasses, and fencing in these exact locations (Parks Canada; Y2Y).
3 | Corridor Mapping & Land Protection
We partner with universities, Indigenous Guardians, and NGOs to model movement routes and secure pinch points between protected and unprotected lands. Conservation easements and land-use planning are tools we recommend to keep routes open (Parks Canada).
4 | Indigenous-Led Stewardship
Indigenous Nations are engaged from the outset as equal partners in route identification, stewardship agreements, and the co-design of buffer rules that reflect community values.
5 | Non-Invasive Monitoring
We expand EWC’s Trail Camera Network and use track surveys to document wildlife presence, measure corridor effectiveness, and provide governments with transparent data, without invasive collaring.
