A coyote has made an early appearance on the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, a nearly completed $114 million wildlife bridge in Los Angeles County, according to reports.
The animal was photographed by National Park Service scientists on Oct. 28, venturing onto the southern slope of the structure, which is slated to officially open to wildlife on December 2. This marks the first documented instance of an animal utilizing the crossing.
Later, on Thursday, biologists captured an image of the same coyote on top of the crossing itself, moving along the deck around 1:37 a.m. This sighting was described as the first documented instance of a larger mammal on the crossing's surface.
The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing spans the 101 Freeway, aiming to provide a safe passage for animals between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Simi Hills. The bridge measures 210 feet long and 174 feet wide.
Remote cameras are scheduled to be installed in early November to monitor how various species, including bobcats, coyotes, gray foxes, and mule deer, interact with the crossing. Scientists also plan to equip animals with biologging tags to track their heart rates, GPS locations, and body temperatures, providing data on how they physiologically respond to the bridge and the nearby freeway.
The initiative to build the crossing was partly inspired by the death of the well-known mountain lion P22, who was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross the 101 Freeway. Officials hope the bridge will be crucial for the long-term preservation of wildlife, particularly mountain lion populations, in the region. The total cost of the project has risen, with taxpayers contributing $77 million of the $114 million total, alongside philanthropic funding.