Claim: Photograph shows elk traversing a specially-constructed wildlife overpass in Banff, Alberta.
Status: Multiple — see below.
Examples: [Collected via e-mail, March, 2007]
Origins: The Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) is the world's longest national highway, running
British Columbia, on the Pacific coast to
In order to provide a lesser disruption to wildlife and avoid collisions between vehicles and large mammals in wildnerness areas, Parks Canada has undertaken projects in areas such as Banff, Alberta, to "twin" (i.e., expand from two to four lanes) some portions of the TCH, install "ungulate-proof" fences along both sides of the roadway, and create overpasses/underpasses in designated areas for the safe passage of wildlife. (Photographs of some of these wildlife passes may be viewed on the
The image displayed above purports to show elk crossing one such wildlife overpass in Banff. However, readers familiar with the area have pointed out that the structure pictured is not a wildlife overpass, but rather a bridge for the Canadian Pacific railroad track.
Last updated: 19 March 2007