Protecting Wild Animals Has Never Been More Urgent. But There’s a Reason It Can Be Harder Than It Seems.
Bat bridges in the U.K., designed to help bats safely cross busy roads, have proven largely ineffective despite good intentions. Research shows that bats do not use these wire structures as intended, often flying directly across roads at dangerous heights. The case highlights the importance of evidence-based conservation strategies to ensure effective wildlife protection.
- ▪Bat bridges were installed on the A11 road in England to help bats cross safely after the road expansion cut through Thetford Forest.
- ▪Ecologist John Altringham and colleague Anna Berthinussen found no evidence that bats used the bridges, as the structures did not mimic the sensory cues of natural hedges.
- ▪Studies showed most bats ignored the bridges and flew across roads at traffic height, risking collisions with vehicles.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Science Protecting Wild Animals Has Never Been More Urgent. But There’s a Reason It Can Be Harder Than It Seems. Ineffective “bat bridges” in the U.K. have something to teach us. By Helen Pearson April 28, 20265:45 AM Photo illustration by Slate. Photo by webclipmaker/iStock/Getty Images Plus and CreativeNature_nl/Getty Images Plus. Copy Link Share Share Comment Copy Link Share Share Comment This essay is adapted from Beyond Belief: How Evidence Shows What Really Works, by Helen Pearson. Copyright © 2026 by the author and reprinted with permission of Princeton University Press. Near the border of Norfolk in England, some weird-looking wire bridges span a busy road.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Slate.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Slate
