Florida’s roadways threaten wildlife by causing habitat fragmentation and thousands of animal deaths annually. The Florida Wildlife Federation is dedicated to addressing these challenges by advocating for wildlife crossings that provide safe passage for animals and protect drivers. These crossings reconnect habitats, reduce road mortality, and ensure the survival of Florida’s native species.
Wildlife Crossings
Connecting Habitats, Protecting Wildlife
Wildlife crossings are specially–designed structures that allow animals to safely cross roads and highways, helping to reduce vehicle collisions and habitat fragmentation. These structures include underpasses, such as tunnels or culverts beneath roadways, and overpasses, which are vegetation-covered bridges that mimic natural landscapes. When combined with fencing to guide animals toward these crossings, they significantly reduce wildlife mortality and restore habitat connectivity, ensuring that animals can move freely and safely across their environments.
The Problem at Hand
- Wildlife Mortality: Roadways are a leading cause of wildlife fatalities in Florida and one of the primary threats to the survival of endangered species. In 2024 alone, 295 Florida black bears and 30 Florida panthers were killed on roads.
- Loss of Connectivity: Fragmented habitats disrupt natural migration patterns, feeding, and breeding behaviors, threatening the long-term survival of Florida’s native species.
Conservation in Action
Advocacy for Crossings
FWF has played a key role in wildlife crossing projects by working with state agencies like the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and conservation partners to advance wildlife crossings that reconnect habitats and protect both animals and drivers. Wildlife crossings ensure safe passage for many species, including Florida panthers, black bears, deer, bobcats, and smaller animals like turkeys, turtles, and snakes. Through advocacy, we’ve worked on the following projects:
- I-75 Crossings: This network of underpasses and fencing has significantly reduced panther and bear deaths
- US 27 Crossing: Funding was approved in 2024 for a crossing in Venus, where multiple panther and black bear deaths have been recorded
- I-95: Supported vegetation enhancements to allow safe passage for wildlife along critical east coast habitats
- I-4 and Central Florida: Advocating for crossings in one of the fastest-growing, most fragmented parts of the state
Explore the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) interactive wildlife-crossings map below to see where structures are helping reconnect habitats across Florida. .
FWF also hosted a livestream featuring leading experts discussing wildlife-crossing solutions, design considerations, and real-world examples from across Florida. This conversation highlights our ongoing advocacy to improve habitat connectivity and create safer passage for wildlife and drivers alike.
Wildlife Crossings Guide
FWF is working with one of the state’s premier roadway ecologists, Dr. Daniel Smith, to develop a Wildlife Crossings Guide as a resource for anyone working at the intersection of transportation, conservation, and community development. The guide includes:
- Best practices for designing and implementing wildlife underpasses and overpasses
- Case studies of successful crossings in Florida and beyond
- Policy and funding opportunities to support new projects
- Tips for educators and advocates to raise awareness in communities
Whether you’re a transportation planner, policymaker, engineer, advocate, or educator, this guide provides tools to integrate wildlife connectivity into infrastructure decisions.
Below are just a few of the species that benefit from wildlife crossings. From large mammals to smaller, lesser-seen animals, each of them benefits from safer passage and connected habitats. Photos courtesy of FDOT State Wildlife Crossings Map, USFWS, and FGSU Wings of Hope Panther Posse.
How You Can Help
Florida’s unique wildlife faces growing threats from roadways, making it essential to prioritize solutions that protect our native species. By supporting our efforts to establish wildlife crossings, you can help reduce wildlife mortalities and preserve critical habitats.
- Request a copy of our Wildlife Crossings Guide to help expand awareness among professionals and advocates who can make crossings a reality.
- Report wildlife collisions with Florida panthers or black bears by calling FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at (888) 404-3922.
- Make a donation to FWF to aid in building safer pathways for animals like the Florida panther, reconnecting habitats and reducing road fatalities.
Together, we can protect Florida’s wildlife and ensure they continue to thrive in our natural landscapes.
Florida’s wildlife needs safe passage
From panthers to bears, countless animals are put at risk every day as roads cut through their habitats. Help us advocate for wildlife crossings that reconnect ecosystems and protect Florida’s most vulnerable species.
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