California's wildlife bridge became a target for the right. Now it's eyeing the finish line

[erronis]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/25/california-wildlife-crossing-construction
Katharine Gammon in Los Angeles

Unhindered by critics who called the $114m project 'a bridge to nowhere', a gigantic throughway allowing animals to cross a busy freeway is close to completion

An aerial view of the construction site of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing over the 101 freeway on Wednesday in Agoura Hills, California. Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Atop a gigantic wildlife bridge in California this week, butterflies filled the air. A red-tailed hawk sailed above as a slight breeze ruffled the 6,000 native plants, including poppies and purple sage. You'd never guess that below the quiet expanse of rocks and plants, a 10-lane freeway ferries 400,000 cars each day.

When the project broke ground four years ago, enthusiasm was high. The wildlife crossing in northern Los Angeles county would be the largest of its kind in the world, providing safe passage for mountain lions, bobcats and lizards.

But in recent weeks, the bridge has landed in the news for the wrong reasons. The Murdoch-owned California Post published an op-ed in March, penned by two writers from the conservative Manhattan Institute, that criticized the $114m project for going over budget, calling it a "jobs program for environmentalists" and a "multimillion-dollar bridge to nowhere". Other conservative commentators piled on, from Fox News to Trump's transportation secretary, Sean Duffy.

Beth Pratt, California regional executive director with the National Wildlife Federation and the public face of the crossing, said the backlash was swift. She began to receive messages painting her as a moron and a cat lady, and even threatening her physical safety. "The hate was really ugly," she says. "We had to contact law enforcement."

Despite the spate of rightwing hate, the wildlife crossing has found a finish line. The project will be officially "open for animal business" on 2 December, Pratt announced at an event for Earth Day this week.

. . .

[RandomNumbers]

1. Fucking idiots oppose wildlife bridges over highways.

Maybe they should try hitting a deer at high speed some time* and they will realize it isn't all about the deer.

* no they should not ... but such idiots may eventually experience it anyway, and maybe then they'll fucking wake up.

And let's be clear, for anyone who has a fucking clue how life works on this planet, it isn't all about the wildlife anyway, outside of the reduction of collisions. And oh yeah, maybe humans ought to care a little about other species, just because ... it is life ... but no.

(lots of f words this morning ... because I woke up and the sick fuck is still not dead or in jail)

[calimary]

2. Your last line...

It’s something I, too, wake up with, every morning.

And I bet we’re nowhere near alone in that.

I just figure he has US ALL waiting. Including Satan.

[lastlib]

54. Satan's in no hurry to claim him---

he doesn't want the competition..

I rather pity Satan, having to contend with that basturd for freakin' ETERNITY. But, that's why he gets the big money........

[AZJonnie]

3. Your post has fewer F-words than mine would have.

But you pretty much said what I would have, so I'll skip my own, other than to say "what you said", and add FUCK THESE FUCKING FUCKERS who threatened the woman in charge of the project

Now we're pretty even-steven on the f-bomb-count

[OMGWTF]

26. 'kna!

[IbogaProject]

17. And these dummys also want more game to hunt

And they can't make that connection. They just want small tiny things to fret over rather their their own tiny things, they never have any coherent ideas about how to grow the economy. They always see this as being taken from someone else, rather than maybe growing the economy by taking a sliver from the wealthy and creating some jobs where the proceeds get spent quick.

[aka-chmeee]

50. They probably would be great supporters of the project

If it included luxury hunting blinds.

[cbabe]

4. 'Cries of delight' as Sumatran orangutan filmed using canopy bridge to cross road for first time

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/25/first-footage-endangered-sumatran-orangutan-using-canopy-bridge-cross-road-hope-species-aoe

‘Cries of delight’ as Sumatran orangutan filmed using canopy bridge to cross road for first time

After a two-year wait, video of a young male crossing above a road gives hope that critically endangered species can survive habitat fragmentation

The age of extinction is supported by
theguardian.org

Isaaq Tomkins
Sat 25 Apr 2026 01.00 EDT

The critically endangered Sumatran orangutan has been filmed for the first time using a canopy bridge to cross a road.

In 2024, conservationists in the Pakpak Bharat district of North Sumatra in Indonesia built the bridge high over the Lagan-Pagindar road, which provides an essential route for local people but which became a barrier for animals.

Natural crossing was “impossible for wildlife”, said Erwin Alamsyah Siregar, director of Tangguh Hutan Khatulistiwa (TaHuKah), the environmental organisation that helped install the bridge.

For two years, the Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS) and TaHuKah, its local partner, had been watching camera-trap footage of the bridge, waiting for the day that an orangutan would finally cross.

… amazing video at link …more ….

(We’re all in this together.)

[erronis]

5. I said this to a friend earlier on the canopy bridge: I hope someone will throw humanity a life-line

when we need it. And I think that is now.

[homegirl]

8. Check your local

Public Broadcasting Channel for a documentary named "Wilding". You will understand that we need nature and the world would endure without us!

[erronis]

38. Wonderful. Thank you.

[paleotn]

6. Selfish fucking wankers! That pretty well sums up the opposition.

And why they're a cancer in this society.

[popsdenver]

7. The Red-neck, Bubba, Trailer Trash, low IQ,

Republicans loathe these game crossings.........It cuts down dramatically on the road kill they can scrape up and serve for dinners...anything less than five days old is useable.......any wildlife run over more than two times is the best, nice and tenderized.....Doesn't RFK Jr. have a roadkill cookbook for sale??????????

[Jerry2144]

21. You mean fenderized, not tenderized

And Grilled.

[popsdenver]

41. Good point

but I was thinking more of the ground crawlers......racoons, rabbits, etc.....

BTW:....The most lethal animals in America, responsible for a lot human deaths every year, are the Deer, Elk, Moose, and Cattle that are hit by a motor vehicle. Their legs get hit, but their bodies are up so high, they come thru the front windshield like a cement wall. Then there are always the unbelievably stupid humans, who go up to a Buffalo or Moose to try and pet them.....almost always a 100% "game over" for the human.....

[Jerry2144]

47. I thought humans were the most dangerous animal towards humans

But yes. Those big ones are dangerous. It's wild burros, wild mustangs, Bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelopes here in the desert of southern Nevada that are a big danger. Plus the occasional cow

[popsdenver]

53. You are correct,

The human is the most lethal TWO LEGGED animal......by far !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When we "self extinct" our human race, I am positive Mother Earth won't EVER be putting "humans" back on her beloved planet.....

[jfz9580m]

9. What assholes

The Manhattan Institute, California Post etc are filled with parasitic, brainless grifters whose main “job” is sucking up to oligarchs. Who are they to question the legitimacy of actually cool projects and people like these.

Go Beth. What’s wrong with being a catlady?

The left has overall been too polite..I myself am exiting the robo-called hostage phase of my existence finally.
I mean - obligatory - yeah I know there are decent conservatives etc etc. But one means these creeps and the like. At the very least, in their conservative hats people like these are jackasses and it is unclear if they have any others.

[hunter]

10. When the bridge is completed they'll have post guards to keep these right wing idiots out...

... especially those with guns.

[Doc_Technical]

39. Jimbo and Ned

[hamsterjill]

11. Kill! Kill!! Kill!!!

That's all them sombitches know how to do.

They have no understanding of the basic concept that every species on planet earth is tied to the existence of other species.

[wolfie001]

12. Incel psychopaths

[flashman13]

13. Some people hate everything that they personally can't find a way to monetize.

It's funny how the word "conservative" is applied to so many people and things that have nothing to do with saving or preserving.

How about nature for natures sake? How about beauty for beauty's sake? How about saving what little is left earth's living, breathing beings?

[Attilatheblond]

34. One would hope the Auto Insurers would be solid behind the building of wildlife bridges

Not sure where to look for data on the financial costs to insurers of auto/wildlife accident costs but I imagine it's a load of money.

[flashman13]

42. It certainly is where I live.

[MerryBlooms]

36. Omgosh, you expressed my feelings so perfectly! 🥰

[flashman13]

43. You caught me on a good day.

[paulrevere2018]

14. Why are we wasting money on protecting animals

And avoiding accidents when our supply of tomahawk missles need replenishing?? /s

[mwmisses4289]

15. So let's me get this straight...

Cons who don't live in CA are complaining about something good for both humans and wildlife? What are they, russian bots?
Stupid shits.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

16. We have one over I-90 in Washington State

It's quite a success. Murdoch should take his wrinkly old ass back to Australia.

[MurrayDelph]

18. I sold my house in LA for years ago,

but still have to go back at least quarterly, and have been staying at hotels just west (North? The 101 is weird up there) of the construction. I've enjoyed watching the progress on this project.

[thought crime]

19. This is wonderful. Please build more.

Another disgrace is that there are so few pedestrian bridges over highways and busy streets.

[Ligyron]

30. Tell me about it...

I’m visiting Ventura. and I would like to go to the pier but the first bridge to get across the one is like 2 miles from here.

I don’t mind a brisk walk, but that’s ridiculous.

[NBachers]

20. The only good maga is roadkill maga

[dobleremolque]

22. They're people who know the price of everything but the value of nothing. n/t

[NBachers]

23. Here's a rendering of what it will look like when it's finished:

That's My California!

[Quanto Magnus]

24. We need.....

way more of these!

[cksmithy]

25. Canada has had them for years.

The first time I saw a animal crossing like that was driving to Banff National Park, possibly 15 years ago.

It's about time we have them here in California. We have hawks, owls, foxes, raccoons and possums in our 100+ year old Fresno, CA neighborhood.

[UpInArms]

27. Rightwing hate

Is trying to destroy the country

[wendyb-NC]

28. We need more wildlife bridges

They are such a brilliant idea, they save wild animals and help prevent motor vehicle accidents. I do not understand why anybody with common sense would be against something that will make roads safer, and save lives (human and animal) along with money to replace or repair a vehicle involved in a collision with wildlife.

[mwmisses4289]

32. Well, they are maga con idiots.

They have no sense, common or otherwise.

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

29. some people are mindless sheep

[BeneteauBum]

31. What can you say?

Unless there is an immediate personal gain, a lot of people will bitch about any expenditure…..especially by us tree huggers. As a retired estuarine biologist, I received a lot of criticism in meetings and while working in the field. Seems to be the right wing credo…..

Peace ☮️

[LtTx]

33. Texas is on the right side for once

We have over 30 animal crossing bridges and more planned!

[GiqueCee]

35. Leave it to...

... the right-wing shitstains to find fault with anything that doesn't directly benefit their wallets at the expense of everyone else. FUCK 'em. Sideways.

[Raine]

37. Most of us Californians are very proud & enthusiastic about that bridge

it will also save human lives by not having wildlife crashing thru your windshield!

[Bev54]

40. What a bunch of idiots, the bridge does not only save wildlife it saves peoples lives

by not hitting animals on the highway or swerving to miss animals. JFC do any of these people have any brains at all?

[love_katz]

44. Short answer? Nope.

CONservatives have either shit for brains or no brains at all. The only thing they use their heads for is as a hat rack.

[SpankMe]

45. 40% of the cost is funded from private donations

Another significant chunk is from the state of California (Dep't of Fish and Wildlife). Californians are overwhelmingly in favor of the crossing, including the citizens of the area it's located in, Agoura Hills. The feds are funding a part as well, but nowhere near the full cost.

Agoura Hills is reddish in it's voting patterns, but happens to be represented by Dems both in the Cali senate and Assembly.

Luckily, the fuckers who wrote and printed the piece (Manhattan Institute and California Post (which no one I know has ever heard of)) won't have any effect on it's completion aand opening.

The regressiveness of the right is on full display.

[Aussie105]

46. Got to love this sort of conservation effort!

Tunnels under roads for smaller ground dwelling native animals work too.

The orangutan rope bridge is a classic too.

https://www.iflscience.com/first-footage-of-endangered-orangutan-crossing-road-using-rope-bridge-is-a-conservation-win-83299

[KT2000]

48. Manhattan Institute

is simply a free market organization. The wildlife obviously cannot pay to use the bridge so they are of no value and efforts should not be made to protect them.

Looks like this is one of those organized gripe parties meant to stir up MAGA. Only tRump can save us from the outrage of the day. This is only the beginning until the mid terms.

[Roy Rolling]

49. It's a Wonderful Accomplishment

I applaud the project supporters.

But, again, why are we so “capitalist macho” when building roads to begin with? Instead of aggressively and permanently defacing the wildlife’s lifelong habitat, how about considering a tunnel for the road below certain stretches of wildlife crossing? Could one iota of planning have considered this solution for a 10-lane freeway?

Would a tunnel respecting the wildlife cost more than the $114 million so far, with another $20 million more to connect the ends of the bridge?

[hunter]

55. The roads should never have been built in the first place.

My grandma would talk about driving between Los Angeles and San Francisco when she was a kid and nearly all of that highway was a two lane country road. It was her dad's idea to drive because he liked to show off his car. The trip inevitably took days of breakdowns, flat tires, and sketchy accommodations.

Sensible people took the train. My great grandfather's in-laws would scold him for endangering his family.

Our modern car culture was driven in large part by racism, especially in California and the industrial states that fought for the Union in the Civil War. It was a covert form of apartheid. They found the "whites only" practices of the Southern states distasteful, and they couldn't really segregate trains and busses without their hypocrisy being obvious. But they could build suburbs accessible only to automobiles and then make it difficult for people who were not white to buy automobiles or homes in these newly developed suburbs, effectively making them "whites only" but without the signs.

I grew up in a place that was 99% white. It was kept that way by a variety of underhanded means. One of those was police harassment of drivers who were not white. "Driving While Black" citations were a sport for the local police department. A black person could be pulled over for not pausing long enough at a stop sign and possibly end up in jail with their car impounded if they were not perfectly polite. Or even if they were. A white guy could be driving drunk, run over some trash cans, and the cops might helpfully escort him home without any citations or other written records.

The social isolation of car culture let white people pretend injustices like this were not happening.

If you are on a bus or a train or walking down a street busy with pedestrians and the police start harassing or assaulting someone unjustly everyone sees it up close. They can't simply avert their eyes for a moment and drive on past.

[twodogsbarking]

51. We need a few thousand of these in rural Pennsavanya.

[SupportSanity]

52. Everything is a target.

Especially things that make sense.