European wildlife: Muskox (Ovibos moschatus), Dovrefjell National Park, Norway.

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Muskox (Ovibos moschatus), Dovrefjell National Park, NorwayMuskox (Ovibos moschatus), Dovrefjell National Park, Norway. Muskoxen evolved in Asia and adapted to arctic tundra environments. Muskoxen became extinct in Europe (last records are from Sweden about 9,000 years ago) and Asia (last records are from the Taymyr peninsula in Russia about 2,000 years ago), probably primarily as a result of over hunting by people. Muskoxen crossed into North America from Siberia between 200,000 and 90,000 years ago and they survived in Alaska, northern Canada and Greenland. Muskoxen were reintroduced in Europe and Asia relatively recently. Muskoxen were first reintroduced in Dovrefjell National Park in Norway in 1931-1932, but these animals were all killed during the second world war. A second reintroduction attempt (1947-1953) was successful though. The muskoxen population size in Dovrefjell National Park is currently estimated at several hundred individuals.

Road ecology blog: wildlife guard and escape ramp for small animals, National Park Hoge Veluwe, The Netherlands.

The fence and wildlife guard keep wild boar (Sus scrofa) and moeflon (Ovis orientalis) on one side of the fence. The wildlife guard is installed at a bicycle path and allows cyclists to proceed without stopping. It is rare to find a wildlife guard in The Netherlands that does not have an escape opportunity for small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. In this case there is a simple metal ramp that allows the animals to crawl out of the pit under the metal grate. These types of escape opportunities are uncommon in North America though. Some wildlife guards have an opening on the side, so an escape opportunity already exists. Other wildlife guards do not allow small animals to escape from the pit under the metal bars or grate... the pit becomes a pitfall. In most cases ramps such as shown below can easily be installed at existing wildlife or cattle guards.... we just have to recognize the problem and then implement this relatively simple solution...

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Bicyclist on wildlife guard for wild boar (Sus scrofa and moeflon (Ovis orientalis), National Park Hoge Veluwe, The NetherlandsBicyclist on wildlife guard for wild boar (Sus scrofa and moeflon (Ovis orientalis), National Park Hoge Veluwe, The Netherlands. This wildlife guard has an escape ramp for small animals that fall into the pit under the metal grate.

Escape ramp for small animals from pit under wildlife guard, National Park Hoge Veluwe, The NetherlandsEscape ramp for small animals from pit under wildlife guard, National Park Hoge Veluwe, The Netherlands. This escape ramp allows small animals that fall into the pit under the metal grate to escape.

European wildlife: Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) in wintery world, Dovrefjell, Norway

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Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) sparring, Dovrefjell National Park, NorwayMuskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) sparring, Dovrefjell National Park, Norway. Muskoxen evolved in Asia and adapted to arctic tundra environments. Muskoxen became extinct in Europe (last records are from Sweden about 9,000 years ago) and Asia (last records are from the Taymyr peninsula in Russia about 2,000 years ago), probably primarily as a result of over hunting by people. Muskoxen crossed into North America from Siberia between 200,000 and 90,000 years ago and they survived in Alaska, northern Canada and Greenland. Muskoxen were reintroduced in Europe and Asia relatively recently. Muskoxen were first reintroduced in Dovrefjell National Park in Norway in 1931-1932, but these animals were all killed during the second world war. A second reintroduction attempt (1947-1953) was successful though. The muskoxen population size in Dovrefjell National Park is currently estimated at several hundred individuals.

Road ecology blog: Free white bicycles at De Hoge Veluwe National Park, The Netherlands. The use of the bicycles is included in the entrance fee. There are about 1,700 bicycles available at the multiple distribution points located throughout the park.

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Image below: Parked bicycles at trail head.

Free white bicycles at De Hoge Veluwe National Park, The NetherlandsFree white bicycles at De Hoge Veluwe National Park, The Netherlands. The use of these white bicycles is included in the entrance fee to the National Park. There are about 1,700 white bicycles available at different locations throughout the park.

Image below: Tourists cycling on free white bicycles on bike path.

Tourists cycling on free white bicycles at De Hoge Veluwe National Park, The NetherlandsTourists cycling on free white bicycles at De Hoge Veluwe National Park, The Netherlands. The use of these white bicycles is included in the entrance fee to the National Park. There are about 1,700 white bicycles available at different locations throughout the park.

Image below: Distribution point for free white bicycles.

Distribution point for free white bicycles at De Hoge Veluwe National Park, The NetherlandsDistribution point for free white bicycles at De Hoge Veluwe National Park, The Netherlands. The use of these white bicycles is included in the entrance fee to the National Park. There are about 1,700 white bicycles available at different locations throughout the park.

European wildlife: Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) sparring, Dovrefjell National Park, Norway.

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Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) sparring, Dovrefjell National Park, NorwayMuskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) sparring, Dovrefjell National Park, Norway. Muskoxen evolved in Asia and adapted to arctic tundra environments. Muskoxen became extinct in Europe (last records are from Sweden about 9,000 years ago) and Asia (last records are from the Taymyr peninsula in Russia about 2,000 years ago), probably primarily as a result of over hunting by people. Muskoxen crossed into North America from Siberia between 200,000 and 90,000 years ago and they survived in Alaska, northern Canada and Greenland. Muskoxen were reintroduced in Europe and Asia relatively recently. Muskoxen were first reintroduced in Dovrefjell National Park in Norway in 1931-1932, but these animals were all killed during the second world war. A second reintroduction attempt (1947-1953) was successful though. The muskoxen population size in Dovrefjell National Park is currently estimated at several hundred individuals.

Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) sparring, Dovrefjell National Park, NorwayMuskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) sparring, Dovrefjell National Park, Norway. Muskoxen evolved in Asia and adapted to arctic tundra environments. Muskoxen became extinct in Europe (last records are from Sweden about 9,000 years ago) and Asia (last records are from the Taymyr peninsula in Russia about 2,000 years ago), probably primarily as a result of over hunting by people. Muskoxen crossed into North America from Siberia between 200,000 and 90,000 years ago and they survived in Alaska, northern Canada and Greenland. Muskoxen were reintroduced in Europe and Asia relatively recently. Muskoxen were first reintroduced in Dovrefjell National Park in Norway in 1931-1932, but these animals were all killed during the second world war. A second reintroduction attempt (1947-1953) was successful though. The muskoxen population size in Dovrefjell National Park is currently estimated at several hundred individuals.

Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) sparring, Dovrefjell National Park, NorwayMuskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) sparring, Dovrefjell National Park, Norway. Muskoxen evolved in Asia and adapted to arctic tundra environments. Muskoxen became extinct in Europe (last records are from Sweden about 9,000 years ago) and Asia (last records are from the Taymyr peninsula in Russia about 2,000 years ago), probably primarily as a result of over hunting by people. Muskoxen crossed into North America from Siberia between 200,000 and 90,000 years ago and they survived in Alaska, northern Canada and Greenland. Muskoxen were reintroduced in Europe and Asia relatively recently. Muskoxen were first reintroduced in Dovrefjell National Park in Norway in 1931-1932, but these animals were all killed during the second world war. A second reintroduction attempt (1947-1953) was successful though. The muskoxen population size in Dovrefjell National Park is currently estimated at several hundred individuals.

Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) sparring, Dovrefjell National Park, NorwayMuskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) sparring, Dovrefjell National Park, Norway. Muskoxen evolved in Asia and adapted to arctic tundra environments. Muskoxen became extinct in Europe (last records are from Sweden about 9,000 years ago) and Asia (last records are from the Taymyr peninsula in Russia about 2,000 years ago), probably primarily as a result of over hunting by people. Muskoxen crossed into North America from Siberia between 200,000 and 90,000 years ago and they survived in Alaska, northern Canada and Greenland. Muskoxen were reintroduced in Europe and Asia relatively recently. Muskoxen were first reintroduced in Dovrefjell National Park in Norway in 1931-1932, but these animals were all killed during the second world war. A second reintroduction attempt (1947-1953) was successful though. The muskoxen population size in Dovrefjell National Park is currently estimated at several hundred individuals.

Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) sparring, Dovrefjell National Park, NorwayMuskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) sparring, Dovrefjell National Park, Norway. Muskoxen evolved in Asia and adapted to arctic tundra environments. Muskoxen became extinct in Europe (last records are from Sweden about 9,000 years ago) and Asia (last records are from the Taymyr peninsula in Russia about 2,000 years ago), probably primarily as a result of over hunting by people. Muskoxen crossed into North America from Siberia between 200,000 and 90,000 years ago and they survived in Alaska, northern Canada and Greenland. Muskoxen were reintroduced in Europe and Asia relatively recently. Muskoxen were first reintroduced in Dovrefjell National Park in Norway in 1931-1932, but these animals were all killed during the second world war. A second reintroduction attempt (1947-1953) was successful though. The muskoxen population size in Dovrefjell National Park is currently estimated at several hundred individuals.

The making of the muskoxen images. Niels Kooijman pulls his Fjellpulken sled, Dovrefjell National Park, Norway.

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The making of the muskoxen images. Niels Kooijman pulls his Fjellpulken sled, Dovrefjell National Park, NorwayThe making of the muskoxen images. Niels Kooijman pulls his Fjellpulken sled, Dovrefjell National Park, Norway

The making of the muskoxen images. Niels Kooijman pulls his Fjellpulken sled, Dovrefjell National Park, NorwayThe making of the muskoxen images. Niels Kooijman pulls his Fjellpulken sled, Dovrefjell National Park, Norway

 European wildlife: Muskox (Ovibos moschatus) in wind, Dovrefjell National Park, Norway.

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Muskox (Ovibos moschatus), Dovrefjell National Park, NorwayMuskox (Ovibos moschatus), Dovrefjell National Park, Norway. Muskoxen evolved in Asia and adapted to arctic tundra environments. Muskoxen became extinct in Europe (last records are from Sweden about 9,000 years ago) and Asia (last records are from the Taymyr peninsula in Russia about 2,000 years ago), probably primarily as a result of over hunting by people. Muskoxen crossed into North America from Siberia between 200,000 and 90,000 years ago and they survived in Alaska, northern Canada and Greenland. Muskoxen were reintroduced in Europe and Asia relatively recently. Muskoxen were first reintroduced in Dovrefjell National Park in Norway in 1931-1932, but these animals were all killed during the second world war. A second reintroduction attempt (1947-1953) was successful though. The muskoxen population size in Dovrefjell National Park is currently estimated at several hundred individuals.

European wildlife: Muskox (Ovibos moschatus), Dovrefjell National Park, Norway.

Click here to view more images of muskoxen.

Click here to view more images of "the making of the muskoxen photos".

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Muskox (Ovibos moschatus), Dovrefjell National Park, NorwayMuskox (Ovibos moschatus), Dovrefjell National Park, Norway. Muskoxen evolved in Asia and adapted to arctic tundra environments. Muskoxen became extinct in Europe (last records are from Sweden about 9,000 years ago) and Asia (last records are from the Taymyr peninsula in Russia about 2,000 years ago), probably primarily as a result of over hunting by people. Muskoxen crossed into North America from Siberia between 200,000 and 90,000 years ago and they survived in Alaska, northern Canada and Greenland. Muskoxen were reintroduced in Europe and Asia relatively recently. Muskoxen were first reintroduced in Dovrefjell National Park in Norway in 1931-1932, but these animals were all killed during the second world war. A second reintroduction attempt (1947-1953) was successful though. The muskoxen population size in Dovrefjell National Park is currently estimated at several hundred individuals.

The making of the muskoxen images, Niels Kooijman in action in Dovrefjell National Park, Norway.

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The making of the muskoxen images, Niels Kooijman in action in Dovrefjell National Park, NorwayThe making of the muskoxen images. Niels Kooijman in action in Dovrefjell National Park, Norway. Muskoxen evolved in Asia and adapted to arctic tundra environments. Muskoxen became extinct in Europe (last records are from Sweden about 9,000 years ago) and Asia (last records are from the Taymyr peninsula in Russia about 2,000 years ago), probably primarily as a result of over hunting by people. Muskoxen crossed into North America from Siberia between 200,000 and 90,000 years ago and they survived in Alaska, northern Canada and Greenland. Muskoxen were reintroduced in Europe and Asia relatively recently. Muskoxen were first reintroduced in Dovrefjell National Park in Norway in 1931-1932, but these animals were all killed during the second world war. A second reintroduction attempt (1947-1953) was successful though. The muskoxen population size in Dovrefjell National Park is currently estimated at several hundred individuals.

The making of the muskoxen images. Niels Kooijman, Dovrefjell National Park, NorwayThe making of the muskoxen images, Niels Kooijman in action in Dovrefjell National Park, Norway

European wildlife: Muskox (Ovibos moschatus) ruminating, Dovrefjell National Park, Norway.

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Muskox (Ovibos moschatus), Dovrefjell National Park, NorwayMuskox (Ovibos moschatus), Dovrefjell National Park, Norway. Muskoxen evolved in Asia and adapted to arctic tundra environments. Muskoxen became extinct in Europe (last records are from Sweden about 9,000 years ago) and Asia (last records are from the Taymyr peninsula in Russia about 2,000 years ago), probably primarily as a result of over hunting by people. Muskoxen crossed into North America from Siberia between 200,000 and 90,000 years ago and they survived in Alaska, northern Canada and Greenland. Muskoxen were reintroduced in Europe and Asia relatively recently. Muskoxen were first reintroduced in Dovrefjell National Park in Norway in 1931-1932, but these animals were all killed during the second world war. A second reintroduction attempt (1947-1953) was successful though. The muskoxen population size in Dovrefjell National Park is currently estimated at several hundred individuals.

Road ecology blog: Coyote (Canis latrans) roadkill, Montana, USA.

Coyote (Canis latrans) roadkill, Montana, USACoyote (Canis latrans) roadkill, Montana, USA

European wildlife: Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) sparring, Dovrefjell National Park, Norway.

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Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) sparring, Dovrefjell National Park, NorwayMuskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) sparring, Dovrefjell National Park, Norway. Muskoxen evolved in Asia and adapted to arctic tundra environments. Muskoxen became extinct in Europe (last records are from Sweden about 9,000 years ago) and Asia (last records are from the Taymyr peninsula in Russia about 2,000 years ago), probably primarily as a result of over hunting by people. Muskoxen crossed into North America from Siberia between 200,000 and 90,000 years ago and they survived in Alaska, northern Canada and Greenland. Muskoxen were reintroduced in Europe and Asia relatively recently. Muskoxen were first reintroduced in Dovrefjell National Park in Norway in 1931-1932, but these animals were all killed during the second world war. A second reintroduction attempt (1947-1953) was successful though. The muskoxen population size in Dovrefjell National Park is currently estimated at several hundred individuals.

Road Ecology blog: Nest box behind road sign, Ronan, Montana.

Right-of-way habitat is often good habitat for small mammals. Small mammals are prey species for raptors (e.g. American kestrel (Falco sparverius) and owls (e.g. barn owl (Tyto alba)). Nest boxes can allow for more raptors and owls in rights-of-way, but care should be taken that these nest boxes do not result in a population sink for the birds because they stimulate the birds to spend time adjacent to highways where they can be hit by vehicles. Collisions with vehicles can be a very big mortality source for raptors and owls. This has been documented for barn owls in particular.

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Nestbox behind roadsign, Ronan, MontanaNestbox behind roadsign, Ronan, Montana

Nestbox behind roadsign, Ronan, MontanaNestbox behind roadsign, Ronan, Montana