Map: American Wildlands GIS labWe partnered with the Montana Department of Transportation to address the high rate of bighorn sheep collisions on Highway 200 near Thompson Falls, Montana. Since 1985, nearly 300 bighorn sheep have been killed by vehicles.With the goal of eliminating wildlife-vehicle collisions in this area, we started a driver information project along Highway 200.
Knowing that most collisions occurred along two separate one-mile segments of the road, we focused our effort on raising driver awareness in those zones. In partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, we provided financial support and guidance to Montana Department of Transportation to help purchase and install four variable messaging signs to warn drivers about the presence of bighorn sheep.
The Highway 200 partnership is an example of how road-side information increases driver awareness of wildlife on the roads. We believe innovative techniques like this will continue to make highways safer for wildlife and people.
