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Wildlife overpass may not be the answer
Letter to the Editor
It has been decided that an overpass will be built over Highway 93/95 where it cuts through the dry hillsides south of Radium Hot Springs that are winter habitat for bighorn sheep. Too many bighorns are being killed by traffic, on this we all agree.
Finally, after years of distress the speed limit was lowered to 70 km/h from the top of the hill down to Radium townsite. Whether or not this was effective in lowering sheep mortality is not clear. There was little enforcement and speeding continued.
It was reported that there was a sustainable but undesirable 10% mortality rate from vehicle collisions with bighorn sheep, before the speed limit was lowered, (no mortality statistics have been shared after the speed limit was lowered). Certainly, the fences will prevent vehicle collisions with wildlife and ensure that drivers will not have to reduce their speed for three kilometres and enforcement of speed limits will not be needed.
Further, a decision has been announced to build an animal overpass. Corporate sponsors have stepped up to assist with the cost of building the overpass. This engineered solution, the overpass and fences, are being heralded as a permanent fix. We can all relax.
Will building fences and overpasses lower sheep mortality? Predators quickly understand that fences are very efficient traps. Fencing was utilized in Jasper National Park because enforcement by Park Wardens of lowered speed limits was considered too high a risk for unarmed officers and RCMP refused the responsibility. The bighorn population plummeted.
I am very concerned this will happen to the Radium bighorns once the fences are in place. Predators, primarily wolves and cougars, will have a good feed.
Lowering speed limits and enforcement can be effective in reducing collisions with wildlife but it requires commitment and support. Funds being channeled into engineered solutions could be used for effective enforcement. Big spending on engineered solutions looks good, creates work, and feels good however where is the evidence that building fences and overpasses is a successful long-term strategy to ensure sheep populations remain sustainable?
Will the Radium bighorns suffer that same fate as the Jasper and Banff sheep bands? Maybe we should all just slow down for three km.
Peter Christensen,
Radium Hot Springs
