The New Mexico Senate approved a bill to determine the best locations to construct a series of underpasses and overpasses — or “wildlife corridors”. The aim is to decrease the number of animal and human fatalities from car crashes and provide safe passage for animals throughout the state.
Sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Mimi Stewart, the $500,000 appropriation for SB228 is an asset to New Mexico’s migrating wildlife, as well as anyone on the road. Sen. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, said,
“It’s a win-win situation for public safety because there are thousands of incidents of humans hitting wildlife and some people die from that.”

Sheep on the road, Photo by Amelie Lachapelle from Pexels
According to the D.O.T, past construction projects have used deterrents to stop animals from crossing in areas where they risk being hit. Though these measures did succeed somewhat, more than $12 million dollars in property damage still arose between 2002 and 2016.
Collisions with large mammals such as elk, deer, bear, pronghorn sheep, and cougars are increasing, with an almost $20 million price tag in 2016. According to New Mexico Defenders of Wildlife, these mammals account for 75% of all animal-involved crashes, with the majority caused by deer and elk.
As it reads, the study will,
“Identify priority wildlife corridors projects by specifying locations, projects and actions needed to preserve long-term habitat corridors for wildlife.”
The study will not reroute current migratory paths for these mammals but will incorporate them into the plan. According to the D.O.T., animal-involved crashes occur in urban and rural areas, so both areas will be part of the study.
With annual property damage from these crashes estimated to be one billion dollars, other states have already developed safe passageways for local wildlife. Those states include Colorado, Wyoming, and Arizona. With Conservation Florida leading the way, the state is also working to create safe, natural, wildlife corridors to protect the Florida black bear and endangered Florida panther.
Sixty-four percent of New Mexico voters support conserving wildlife migration corridors. This bill, which is open for public comment, now heads to the New Mexico House for further evaluation and discussion.
A wonderful idea!
HUMANS & ANIMALS MUST COEXIST & IT’S HUMANS RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY PATHWAYS to these vulnerable sentient beings. . Humans have overtaken the animals land while deforesting & building houses & roads all over.
These “WILDLIFE CORRIDORS” do really work well everywhere. In the Province of Alberta in Canada has several wildlife corridors & has worked & working wonders after they are being built. Please save the wildlife & their existence by providing these wonderful ‘wildlife corridors’ as many other countries also have built such projects to protect our distance relatives..ANIMALS…
Thank you, Senator Mimi Smith!
Congratulations for being so cool, New Mexico!
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!
Come on, New Mexico House – please do this, and create a better world for having done it.
Great idea.
What a wonderful idea too bad all the other states don’t adopt the same. I live in CA and the deer and wildlife that are killed on our highways is unthinkable. God Bless Senate Majority Whip Mimi Stewart and the others. Thank you for caring.
What a wonderful idea too bad all the other states don’t adopt this. I live in CA and the deer and other wild animals killed on the highways is unthinkable. God Bless New Mexico and their lawmakers.
This is the right thing to do. Humans continue to encroach on their homes, & feeding grounds, so we must help & protect wild life. They are only looking to survive, just like all other living beings!!!
We are here to make sure no one abuses and torture animals from now on. There are to many animals suffering from sick and cruel monsters now. Animals do not deserve this. We need to get these monsters off the streets and in jail where they belong. We need to keep fighting hard and strong for all animals now. All animals need our help now and we are their voices. We need to make sure we are heard loud and clear. We can’t let these monsters get away with abuse, cruelty and torture to all animals now.
Thank you !
Thanks to New Mexico.
I applaud New Mexico for taking these measures. It is right to accept that wildlife has a right to their normal passages, and it’s tremendously helpful to curtail human deaths and property damage all at the same time. Win-win. Canada has been doing this for some time now.
Terrific idea.
Kto ublizi zvieratu, mal by byt rovnako potrestany ako ublizil! Clovek vie, co robi i ake to ma dosledky! OKP ZA OKO, ZIVOT ZA ZIVOT!!!
Kto ublizi zvieratu, treba ho rovnako potrestat ako ublizil..! CLOVEK VIE, CO ROBI I AKE TO MA DOSLEDKY..! OKO ZA OKO ZIVOT ZA ZIVOT!!!
Super!
This is a great idea. 🦌🐏
Wildlife corridor studies have been around for decades. Why has it taken states so long to recognize their importance? Talk about slow.