Turtle tunnels built by train workers help the ancient reptiles navigate tracks and roads safely.
They may be symbols of longevity and resilience, but even a turtle’s tough shell is no match for the unforgiving steel wheels of a train or the rush of traffic on a busy road. In a surprising twist, Japan’s beloved reptiles have become an unexpected challenge for the nation’s extensive railway network, and turtles elsewhere face similar dangers on roads.
The danger lies in railway switches and road crossings. These create dangerous situations for turtles attempting to navigate their environments. As switch points move on train tracks or vehicles speed by on roads, unsuspecting turtles can become trapped and crushed.
According to Asahi Shimbun, a leading Japanese newspaper, a total of 13 train disruptions were attributed to turtle casualties between 2002 and 2014 in the Kyoto and Nara prefectures alone. These incidents highlight the often unforeseen consequences of human infrastructure on wildlife movement.
See also: $350 Million Investment in US Wildlife Crossings.
But where there’s a problem, there’s often a clever solution. Thankfully, a collaborative effort between the West Japan Railway Company (JR West) and the Suma Aqualife Park has yielded an ingenious answer for Japan’s turtles: turtle tunnels.
A turtle tunnel is an underground U-shaped passage designed specifically for turtles. These specially constructed tunnels provide a safe haven for the reptiles to cross beneath train tracks or roads, eliminating the risk of getting trapped or crushed.
The concept is simple yet effective. By creating designated pathways for turtle travel, such as a turtle tunnel, JR West has successfully addressed the issue at its core. The initial implementation in Nara prefecture has proven to be a resounding success. These “turtle tunnels,” as they’ve been affectionately dubbed, have already saved the lives of ten precious turtles.
JR West’s commitment to the project goes beyond simply installing turtle tunnels. The company takes the additional step of conducting monthly inspections to ensure no turtles become trapped inside. Any turtles found within the tunnels are then safely transported to the Suma Aqualife Park for further care and observation.
While this solution offers hope for Nara’s turtles, it’s important to recognize that the current implementation is limited in scope. For this initiative to have a bigger impact, a wider rollout across Japan’s vast railway network is necessary.
Interestingly, Japan is not alone in its efforts to protect turtles on transportation routes. Here are some examples from around the world:
- Minnesota, USA: Washington County in Minnesota installed a special turtle tunnel culvert system imported from Germany specifically designed for turtles. This is a tunnel-like structure that allows turtles safe passage under a busy highway with a known high turtle mortality rate due to crossings.
- Ontario, Canada: The city of Guelph, Canada, is considering installing more turtle tunnels and fencing for turtles alongside roads with high turtle activity. They’ve already implemented such crossings on Eastview and Niska Roads, with reports of a significant reduction in turtle deaths. The Region says turtle mortalities are down by almost 79 per cent since the tunnels were installed.
The plight of Japan’s turtles and innovative solutions like turtle tunnels highlight a broader issue: wildlife-vehicle collisions. Thankfully, there’s a positive development in the United States that aims to address this challenge on a national scale.
Enter the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program (WCPP), a crucial initiative established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) enacted in 2021. Recognizing the significant threat wildlife-vehicle collisions pose to both human safety and wildlife populations, the WCPP is a competitive grant program designed to:
- Reduce Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions: By funding the construction of wildlife crossings like overpasses, underpasses, and specially designed tunnels, the program aims to create safer passage for animals across roads. This not only protects wildlife but also reduces the risk of accidents for drivers.
- Improve Habitat Connectivity: Habitat fragmentation caused by roads can disrupt animal movement patterns and isolate populations. The WCPP aims to improve habitat connectivity by creating safe crossing points, allowing animals to access essential resources and maintain healthy populations.
The alarming statistics underscore the need for such a program:
- Over 1 Million Collisions Annually: The WCPP acknowledges that there are more than 1 million wildlife-vehicle collisions every year in the US.
- Safety and Economic Costs: These collisions pose a danger to human safety, causing tens of thousands of serious injuries and hundreds of fatalities annually. Additionally, the economic cost of WVCs is estimated to be over $8 billion.
- Investing in Solutions: In light of these challenges, the BIL has authorized a total of $350 million for the WCPP over five years (FY 2022 through 2026). This funding will be used to support projects across the country, with a focus on areas with high WVC rates.
The story of JR West and Suma Aqualife Park’s collaboration serves as an example of how innovation and empathy can co-exist. By taking the time to understand the challenges faced by wildlife, human intervention can create win-win situations. In this case, the turtles get a safe passage, and the train system experiences fewer disruptions.
This ingenious solution of turtle tunnels protects these cherished creatures and highlights the importance of considering wildlife corridors when designing and developing infrastructure. Hopefully, the success of the turtle tunnels in Japan and elsewhere will inspire similar creative approaches to safeguard other animals facing similar challenges in a world increasingly shaped by human activity.
