By james art 
Waynesboro, Washington (WHSV) – the Wildlife Wild Animal Center in Wainboro insists on a new community bill to protect wildlife on the roads.
Wildlife corridor legislation identifies and protects the corridors of wildlife throughout the country, hoping to prevent road accidents between animals and vehicles. While this bill was approved during the last legislative session, there was no funding to activate.
A new bill, HB 2025, strives to change this.
“This bill guarantees that the funding is aimed at this activation and it is ensured that the corridors have been introduced,” says Meg Gamage-Stem, president of the Virginia Wildlife Center. “This ensures that all infrastructure projects that are moving forward are supported.”
Gammage-Tucker is one of the main defenders of HB 2025. She said the bill is particularly suitable for the Shenando Valley.
“Because we have such extensive interstate infrastructure and many interstate systems and road sails move to local migration for the wild, this is a natural place for conflict,” said Gamag-Tker.
The Wildlife Center treats sick or wounded wildlife, and it has recently seen a wildlife tributary brought. In 2024 alone, he saw more than 700 animals in the center with injuries to vehicle collisions.
“Virginia is considered to be the 10th highest country in the country for collision with wildlife vehicles,” said Gammage-Tucker.
HB 2025 will not only protect the animals, but also affect humans, reducing the likelihood of collisions with vehicles and saving enormous costs of repair. If a vehicle is confronted with a larger animal, such as a bear or deer, Gammage-Tucker said average insurance costs will be about $ 41,000.
The bill is most focused on improving infrastructure.
“[HB 2025 would add] Crossings, additional barriers such as the fence you see in interstate, subways and flood areas so that animals can pass safely to their native habitats, “said Gamag-Tker.
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