Reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions along WY Highway 120
A new report authored by Beyond Yellowstone Living Lab research scientist Dr. Hall Sawyer identifies key needs and opportunities to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions along Highway 120 between Meeteetse and Cody. A well-known collision hotspot in northwestern Wyoming, this stretch of highway bisects habitat used by migratory pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and elk. More than 100 of these animals are killed by vehicles each year - a considerable cost to wildlife and motorists alike.
The mitigation report synthesizes current trends in wildlife movements, traffic patterns, and wildlife-vehicle collisions along 4 key sections of the highway, and it identifies several potential strategies to reduce collisions and improve motorist and wildlife safety along each section. Prepared for the Wyoming Department of Transportation and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, this report will help inform management decisions aimed at minimizing wildlife-vehicle collisions and improving roadway permeability for affected big game populations.