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An elk is photographed by the critter cam near Vail Pass recently. The monitoring program launched by the Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project has captured nearly 400 images of mammals on the pass with motion-triggered cameras.
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ENLARGE
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A pine marten scurries past a critter cam near Vail Pass recently.
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SUMMIT COUNTY - With a little volunteer help and a funding boost from the National Forest Foundation, the Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project has successfully launched a wildlife monitoring program near Vail Pass, capturing nearly 400 images of elk, deer and other critters with motion-triggered cameras.
The citizen science wildlife monitoring program is the first of its kind in Colorado, documenting extensive activity of both common and lesser-known species such as pine marten, said Julia Kintsch, program director.
The Ecosystem Project teamed up with the Avon-based Gore Range Natural Science School and the Denver Zoo for the project.
The citizen science wildlife monitoring program is the first of its kind in Colorado, documenting extensive activity of both common and lesser-known species such as pine marten, said Julia Kintsch, program director.
The Ecosystem Project teamed up with the Avon-based Gore Range Natural Science School and the Denver Zoo for the project.
"The range of species we're seeing is amazing," said Amy Masching, a conservation biologist with the Denver Zoo. "Everything from birds to carnivores. A lot of animals show some curiosity when they come across one of the snares."
Along with snapshots, the citizen scientists are documenting tracks and taking hair samples from the monitoring sites, Masching said. The volunteers visit the monitoring sites to change camera batteries and memory cards.
The Ecosystem Project is hoping to expand the program into Summit County, with cameras on the east side of Vail Pass, as well as near Highway 9, between Frisco and Breckenridge. But right now, the organization doesn't have the capacity to use any more volunteers, said.
A mandatory eight- to 10-hour training is required for the program. So far, most of the volunteers are from the west side of the pass, Masching said.
Along with snapshots, the citizen scientists are documenting tracks and taking hair samples from the monitoring sites, Masching said. The volunteers visit the monitoring sites to change camera batteries and memory cards.
The Ecosystem Project is hoping to expand the program into Summit County, with cameras on the east side of Vail Pass, as well as near Highway 9, between Frisco and Breckenridge. But right now, the organization doesn't have the capacity to use any more volunteers, said.
A mandatory eight- to 10-hour training is required for the program. So far, most of the volunteers are from the west side of the pass, Masching said.
The monitoring effort is linked with a long-term plan to establish a safe wildlife crossing west of Vail Pass. The freeway has often been described as a "Berlin Wall" for wildlife, hampering north-south movement between large areas of good habitat on either side.
The data will help determine the best location for a wildlife bridge in the vicinity of Vail Pass. Congress set aside funds to help the Colorado Department of Transportation begin an environmental study and preliminary engineering review for the bridge.
Similar structures have been used successfully along the Trans-Canada highway, where wide, landscaped overpasses help critters move safely.
Vehicle-animal collisions are on the rise in the state, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation, climbing from 1,263 in 1993 to 4,074 collisions in 2004. Since 1999, there have 15 fatal collisions.
The data will help determine the best location for a wildlife bridge in the vicinity of Vail Pass. Congress set aside funds to help the Colorado Department of Transportation begin an environmental study and preliminary engineering review for the bridge.
Similar structures have been used successfully along the Trans-Canada highway, where wide, landscaped overpasses help critters move safely.
Vehicle-animal collisions are on the rise in the state, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation, climbing from 1,263 in 1993 to 4,074 collisions in 2004. Since 1999, there have 15 fatal collisions.
Crashes involving wildlife were ranked by the agency as the third leading cause of crashed, behind speeding and inattentive driving. The fall months (through early November) are the most dangerous.
See the sites
• To see photos of animals on Vail Pass, go to http://www.restoretherockies.org/photos.html. • For more information on the citizen science program, visit http://wwwrestoretherockeis.org/citizen_science.html.
• More information on overpasses in Canada, as well as photos are at: www.mountainnature.com/Articles/CrossingStructures.htm.
Vail Daily, Vail, Colorado
