Heavy traffic doesn’t stop big mammals like bears from crossing highways — nor does it keep smaller creatures from being squished (压扁) by cars. In just two years along one highway in Utah, more than 100 animals were killed in traffic accidents. In the United States, there are 21 endangered species whose survival is threatened by traffic accidents.
However, there’s one way to reduce crashes between cars and animals crossing the road: wildlife under and overpasses. Looking much like a regular overpass for cars, but decorated with native plants, they aren’t particularly noticeable unless you know what you’re looking for. The drivers may not be able to see the under crossings. But they’re helping countless species to pass the highways, from gold monkeys in Brazil to water voles in London.
Washington State is one of the latest to join in. Building its first wildlife bridge began in 2015 over Interstate 90 (I-90), which runs from Seattle to Boston. Though it’s just a bare set of arches now, with native plants to be planted next year, deer and wolves are already using it. Along with six underpasses built since 2013, these crossings are the first in a set of 20 along a 15-mile stretch of highway on I-90. These passes will allow black bears and mountain lions to pass through what was once an impenetrable road.
These wildlife crossings aren’t just about saving individual animals — they’re about species survival, too. I-90 is an economically important east-west lifeline in the state. But many of the animals mostly want to move from north to south. Those animals on the south of the highway got trapped in an island. Inbreeding (近亲繁殖) became a potential problem. Localized extinction happens if they don’t have genetic variability. The Snoqualmie overpass helps reconnect these isolated (隔绝的) populations. I-90’s underpasses are important in connecting waterways and species.
【小题1】Why does the author talk about the heavy traffic in Paragraph 1?| A．To show the results of wildlife protection. |
| B．To indicate its serious threat of over speeding. |
| C．To raise people’s awareness of the behavior of wildlife. |
| D．To introduce the following way to protect wild animals. |
| A．Letting drivers see highways. | B．Building highway crossing for animals. |
| C．Decorating busy roads with native plants. | D．Noticing under and overpasses while driving. |
| A．Because they can protect native plants for animals. |
| B．Because they are economically important for the country. |
| C．Because they can help animals trapped in the island on the north. |
| D．Because they will prevent species from dying out for lacking genetic variety. |
| A．Isolated Wildlife: A Potential Problem |
| B．Highway Accidents: A Killer of Wild Animals |
| C． Wildlife Bridges: A Solution to Wildlife Protection |
| D．Wildlife Crossing: A Regular Overpass for Wildlife |
