We studied use of a new, less expensive design of wildlife crossing to determine the acceptance of the structure by wildlife. We documented wildlife use of 2 precast concrete wildlife crossings from 27 March 1995 to 30 June 1996 on State Road (SR) 29 in southwest Florida. Two additional crossings of a different design were monitored on Interstate (I)-75 for comparison. Over 1,000 photographs were taken of >20 species of wildlife, domestic animals, and humans using those 4 wildlife crossings. The SR 29 structures were utilized by Florida panthers (Felis concolor coryi), black bears (Ursus americanus), bobcats (Felis rufus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), raccoons (Procyon lotor), and 17 other species. Panther use of the 1-75 wildlife crossings increased over time. The new design of wildlife crossing on SR 29 allowed safe passage of many species of wildlife, including panthers.
