That pesky wildlife

From "Arizona 260 gets wired for elk," in the Arizona Republic:

The high-tech crossing is part of an extensive system of wildlife underpasses and electrified fencing along a three-mile stretch of Arizona 260 about seven miles east of Payson that is designed to guide animals across the highway with less danger. It allows the wildlife to maintain migration and foraging patterns while minimizing the danger to motorists and the animals.

The fences guide the creatures along the highway and funnel them to places where they can cross under the road or, at the electronic animal- detection area, where motorists will be warned of their crossing.

The wildlife crossing is similar to a pedestrian crosswalk in a city except for the detection system that the animals set off by their presence. "The elk don't know how to push the 'walk' button with their noses," Dodd said.

"You don't have to train the animals to use the system; you have to train the drivers."

Index Keywords: car-culture