Part 3/9:
Roadways have a profound effect on the ecosystems they intersect. While they may seem detrimental to wildlife, the relationship between roads and animal populations is complex. Certain species, such as vultures, coyotes, and raccoons, can benefit from the food sources that roads inadvertently create by acting as conduits for scavengers. Cliff swallows, for instance, have taken to nesting beneath highway overpasses, leading to their nickname as "bridge swallows." However, for many species, especially large mammals like deer, highways present grave dangers. The food sources found along roadsides can entice animals into hazardous areas, resulting in an alarming number of wildlife-vehicle collisions. Indeed, there are over a million such accidents in the U.S. every year, leading to fatalities and substantial economic loss.