Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Wildlife Corridors Act into law last week, which could give wild animals more options to stay off of highways and roads in New Mexico.
The goal is to increase safety for animals and drivers by providing passages between areas where wild animals live.
“The ability of these animals to travel is paramount to their survival. It’s just a really forward-thinking initiative,” said Phil Carter, Wildlife Policy Coordinator for the Wildlands Network.
Underpasses, overpasses and fences keep large animals off roadways as they migrate - think deer, elk, coyotes and bears - those are the kinds of things they’re considering, said Carter.
The law requires the state Department of Transportation and the Game and Fish Department to work together to identify roadkill hotspots. There’s a one-time grant of $100,000 for the project.