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Costa Rican lawmakers unanimously voted to require wildlife crossings for new and existing road infrastructure when evidence shows the infrastructure interrupts natural connectivity and threatens wildlife safety. The measure, approved in August 2026, will help wildlife avoid being struck by cars while crossing roads and connect habitat, the regulation notes. <\/span><\/p>\n Once signed into law by the president, the regulation will require that new infrastructure projects must include wildlife crossings in the earliest stage of development and budgeting. Costa Rica\u2019s National Environmental Technical Secretariat will be responsible for confirming such plans are sufficient and appropriate before they grant approval for new projects.<\/span><\/p>\n Existing roads may also require new wildlife crossings<\/a> if the government is presented with information showing they are necessary. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAnyone can\u00a0contribute scientific data to show that a bridge is needed,\u201d Rebecca Cliffe, the\u00a0founder and director of the Costa Rica-based\u00a0Sloth Conservation Foundation<\/a>, told Mongabay in a video call. <\/span><\/p>\n Cliffe is planning a citizen science project to compile data from rescue centers and community reports in the South Caribbean and request bridges where they are needed. <\/span><\/p>\n Costa Rican roads are dotted with bright yellow wildlife crossing signs featuring sloths, tapirs and coatis. But a 2025 study<\/a> from Brazil found such signs do little to actually slow down drivers. <\/span><\/p>\n Cliffe said these signs amount to \u201cgreenwashing\u201d in Costa Rica. \u201cNo one\u2019s slowing down when they see those signs.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n In contrast, wildlife crossings \u2014 which can include bridges, culverts, tunnels and ropes for arboreal species \u2014 are known life<\/a>savers<\/a>. Beyond saving animals, and drivers, from a collision, wildlife crossings also connect habitat. Without them, roads and development can fragment forests and prevent wildlife from accessing necessary space, mates and food. <\/span><\/p>\n
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