How a turtle tunnel is saving lives
In Wisconsin, the State Highway 66 runs straight through Plover River, a bustling habitat for freshwater turtles. This means the busy highway is a big risk to turtles and other wildlife trying to cross it to reach the other side of their natural habitat. In 2015 alone, 66 turtles were killed attempting to cross.
So, when this road was being resurfaced, an opportunity was seized and the transportation and natural resources departments teamed up with the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to come up with a this great solution โ a turtle tunnel. This tunnel allows the safe passage from one side of the river to the other. Since its installation a few years ago, only 40 turtles have been killed in total, which is a massive reduction.
Now these corridors are also being utilised elsewhere, to aid wildlife trying to cross very busy roads!
To see the full story, click the link.
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Ecology
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New Findings
Plasma chemistry in nesting leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) from Florida: Understanding the importance of sample hemolysis effects on blood analytes
Miscellany
UK: Dog-walker photographs mystery reptile sat on rock in river
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