00:00The world's largest wildlife crossing spans 10 freeway lanes, but its final hurdle is still ahead.
00:06Agora Hills Bridge over the 101 freeway is on track for December 2nd completion, unless storms intervene.
00:13Already, 6,000 native plants cover the bridge, but soil must connect it with surrounding land.
00:18And heavy rain can stop crews compacting that soil to complete the pathway.
00:22So Beth Pratt, Wildlife Crossing Fund president, says,
00:26We're just hoping El Nino's on our side.
00:28That climate pattern could bring heavy rain to Southern California.
00:32Meanwhile, right-wing pundits and politicians have attack delays and the $114 million price tag.
00:39But the crossing aims to connect isolated Santa Monica Mountains lions with potential mates.
00:45Wildlife researcher Seth Riley says 41% of documented mating since 2002 involved close relatives.
00:53And Riley expects genetic diversity to increase, though not overnight.
00:57So the final hurdle is soil.
00:59Beyond it, a path out of isolation.
01:02Disclosure.
01:02This video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using AI-assisted tools.
