Costa Rica has taken a decisive step to reduce wildlife deaths on its roads. Lawmakers approved a measure in August 2026 that requires wildlife crossings whenever new or existing infrastructure interrupts natural habitat connections and endangers animals. The change addresses a long-standing problem for species that must cross busy routes to reach food, water, or mates. Once signed by the president, the rule will embed these structures into project planning from the outset.
Practical Requirements for New and Existing Roads
The legislation places clear obligations on infrastructure developers. New road projects must incorporate wildlife crossings during the initial design and budgeting phases rather than as later additions. Costa Rica’s National Environmental Technical Secretariat will review and approve the plans to ensure they meet ecological standards before construction proceeds. Existing roads face a different process. Government agencies can order new crossings if presented with evidence that current conditions threaten wildlife safety or fragment habitats. The rule opens the door for data from multiple sources to trigger action, shifting responsibility toward measurable outcomes instead of assumptions.
Evidence-Based Decisions and Public Input
A key feature allows anyone to submit scientific information showing the need for a crossing. This provision broadens participation beyond official agencies and gives communities a direct route to influence road safety measures. Rescue centers and local observers already collect relevant records that could support future requests. Rebecca Cliffe, founder and director of the Sloth Conservation Foundation, plans to organize a citizen science effort in the South Caribbean region. The project will compile data from rescue centers and resident reports to identify priority locations for bridges or other structures. Such efforts could accelerate decisions where patterns of wildlife-vehicle conflict are already documented.
Limitations of Current Warning Signs
Costa Rican roads already display bright yellow signs featuring sloths, tapirs, and coatis to alert drivers. A 2025 study from Brazil, however, found that similar signs produce little change in driver behavior. Cliffe has described the signs as a form of greenwashing because they create an appearance of action without addressing the underlying risk. Effective crossings take several forms. Bridges over roads, underpasses or culverts beneath them, tunnels, and rope connections for tree-dwelling species have all demonstrated success in reducing collisions. These structures maintain habitat connectivity while allowing animals to move safely.
Next Steps and Broader Effects
Implementation will depend on timely presidential approval and the development of technical guidelines by the environmental secretariat. Project planners will need to integrate ecological assessments earlier in the process, which may extend initial timelines but reduce long-term conflicts. Travelers who visit Costa Rica for its wildlife encounters stand to benefit indirectly. Safer road corridors support the populations of animals that draw visitors to national parks and reserves. Continued monitoring will show whether the new requirements translate into fewer incidents and stronger habitat links over time.
