Christmas Island crab bridge helps migrating critters beat the traffic

Christmas Island rangers have taken road safety to a
whole new level with the construction of a "crab bridge"
over the island's busiest road.

In preparation for the annual spawning season, rangers
have been setting up barriers along the roadside to prevent
the crabs from being crushed under the wheels of cars.

A five-metre-high bridge has also been constructed at one
point along the road to help the crabs move across the island
and continue their migration.

Rangers on Christmas Island have also constructed 31
underpasses across the island to assist the migrating crab
masses en route to spawn.

More than 50 million crabs are expected to be involved in
the annual migration, predicted by the Tourism Association
to take place on January 6.

Seems the crabs know what's going on.
I'm suprised they haven't put in a few pedestrian crossings.
Crustaceans rule ! .... Christmas island.



www.abc.net.au...

a reply to: radarloveguy
Its always a sad sight to see locals drive over them like they are surface water.
I wonder what effect it will have on creatures that feed on carrion. I should imagine they are flourishing due to the deaths every year.
Good find

a reply to: radarloveguy

Saw a show about the crab migration a few years ago on the ABC,It frightened the hell outa me, I dont like crabs. worst of all are those from 'the other place we go to'. no way I could work chrisi island.

a reply to: radarloveguy

fantasic. the first photo in your post looks surreal and alien.

Good idea, hopefully it will save a few hundred or a few thousand of them per bridge.

I was in the Cayman Islands when a similar natural phenomena occurs. Tens of thousands of crabs migrated across the island, and in one day the roads were just covered with dead carcasses. Some drivers even intentionally tried to hit them, and other simply could not avoid them because of the population.

This is a nice, simple idea that would be great to see more of in areas that have this migration.

" Red crabs also dig burrows to shelter themselves from
the sun and will usually stay in the same burrow through the year.
For most of the year, red crabs can be found within Christmas Islands'
forests, however, each year they must migrate to the coast to breed.
The beginning of the wet season (usually October/November)
allows the crabs to increase their activity and stimulates their annual
migration. The timing of their migration is also linked to the phases
of the moon. During this migration red crabs abandon their burrows
and travel to the coast to mate and spawn. This normally requires
at least a week, with the male crabs usually arriving before the females. "
en.wikipedia.org...

I lived on Christmas Island 1985-1990 (look that up NSA)

I witnessed, smelled and dealt with the carnage of cars running over the little critters. They crawl, as a crow flies, between jungle and beach, then spawn, then head back to the jungle......all on an annual basis.

It is quite literally the most beautiful place I have EVER visited (let alone lived) in my life.

I miss the little buggers.

This idea/invention is next-level awesomeness.

Amazing. That is ALOT of crab legs!!! WoW! Another outstanding story about humanity!!

SF

a reply to: radarloveguy

Totally awesome. Looks like follow the leader but wonder how they enticed the crabs to the bridge and along the way.

a reply to: radarloveguy
We have land crabs in South Florida that do the same thing.

My first encounter with them was when I was headed back home after spending the day in the park.

Imagine having to navigate that scene for 12 miles on a bicycle.

I had no idea what was going on at the time, but like everything else in life, you just get used to it.

When are they going to change it's name to "Holiday" Island??? jajajajjaaj

at least a week, with the male crabs usually arriving before the females. "

Well that's typical

Jokes aside it is very refreshing to see a thread like this. Reminds me of my "lurking" days.

I love to see humanity and kindness towards creatures and nature

a reply to: radarloveguy

That's one severe case of the crabs!

Glad someone is doing something to ensure the survival of wildlife. I'm actually surprised that they can navigate the steep slope of the 'bridge'

a reply to: chr0naut
I noticed the mesh on the walls, and the barrier on the ground is short and smooth making it harder to get a grip.

I guess the rest is follow the leader.

Crab is tasty but you can't help but feel a little tender for them pinchin' crustaceans, especially when they're crawlin' around with their little arms all up in the air like that.

a reply to: SurfinUSA
Land crabs are different from sea crabs. The are prepared differently. The people that eat them, catch them and feeds them, I think corn, or cornmeal, for several days before cooking them, from what I have been told.