Yellowstone National Park should be a safe haven for some of our country’s most precious wildlife. But even here, roadways can pose a deadly risk.
Yellowstone National Park should be a safe haven for some of our country’s most precious wildlife. But even here, roadways can pose a deadly risk.
Last year, 13 bison were killed after being struck by a semi-truck near Yellowstone – and these deaths weren’t isolated. Yellowstone reported 56 vehicle-animal collisions in 2022. A new wildlife crossing would create a safe passage for creatures like bison to navigate their grazing areas unharmed.
Bison, also called buffalo by many, used to cover all of North America, from Alaska to the Gulf of Mexico, until they were driven to the brink of extinction in the 1800s. Their numbers dwindled so dramatically that by 1902, Yellowstone’s herd was reduced to just about twenty.
The return of bison to Yellowstone is one of our country’s greatest conservation success stories.
Today, entering the boundaries of the park is like going back in time. Thousands of wild bison roam lush grazing land, their ruddy calves playing on the banks of mountain streams just like they did in prehistoric times. Bison are also a keystone species, meaning they bring countless benefits to the entire ecosystem, from providing habitat for grassland creatures to fostering healthy wildfire regimes.
If there’s one place wild bison should be safe, it’s here. That’s why we’re amplifying the voices of Environmental Action supporters like you, urging Sec. Deb Haaland to protect bison by creating a wildlife crossing near the park.
Wildlife crossings just make sense – for wildlife and for drivers. These bridges allow creatures to safely travel over roadways, keeping their habitat continuous without risking deadly car collisions. Studies have shown that these crossings can prevent animal deaths and reduce danger for drivers.
Decades of work have gone into restoring Yellowstone and its surrounding region to a safe haven for wild, ecologically important creatures like bison. We don’t want to go backwards because of dangerous vehicle collisions that could have been avoided.
Send your message to Sec. Haaland to protect bison today by building a wildlife crossing near Yellowstone.
Even near Yellowstone National Park, bison are at risk of deadly car collisions. Join us in urging Sec. Haaland to create a wildlife crossing to protect these iconic creatures.
