Wildlife crossing in Wierden, Netherlands

© Frans Lemmens/Alam

Who uses this grassy bridge?. Wildlife crossing, Wierden, Netherlands

This bridge in Wierden in the Netherlands is a ‘natuurbrug’, a special wildlife crossing built to help animals safely make their way across roads built through their habitats. Also known as green bridges, ecoducts and, in France, ecoponts, these crossings can be bridges or tunnels and are expensive to create. But for the countries using them, they can pay dividends. In Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, 44 bridges and underpasses were built for wildlife over 20 years, and wildlife-related accidents on the Trans-Canada Highway, which divides the park, dropped by 80%.

France built the first wildlife crossing in 1960 and the private highway company AFRR continues to construct elaborate safe passageways there. But the Netherlands leads the way, with an impressive 600-plus crossings, and counting. In fact, the Dutch can claim the title of world's longest animal crossing too. The Natuurbrug Zanderij Crailoo is a bridge that’s half-a-mile long and 164ft (50m) wide. Now chickens and their four-legged friends can cross the road anytime, without taking their lives in their... feet.