Wildlife Monitoring Begins at Santa Monica Mountains

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area biologists will install remote cameras at the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in early November. The crossing near Liberty Canyon in Agoura Hills is scheduled to open to wildlife on Dec. 2, 2026.

What this means for your visit

The release lists no visitor closures or access changes connected with the camera installation. The overpass remains unfinished and is not scheduled to officially open to animals until Dec. 2.

Wildlife camera images will eventually be available to the public, but they will not appear in real time because of security concerns. The cameras will record which species approach and cross the structure, when they use it and how animals respond to the new habitat connection.

Background

The vegetated overpass spans the 101 Freeway and nearby Agoura Road. It is designed to link habitat in the Santa Monica Mountains with the Simi Hills, giving wildlife a route across a freeway traveled by more than 300,000 vehicles daily.

Scientists recorded the first animal on the unfinished crossing on October 28, when a camera photographed a coyote climbing its southern slope. During construction monitoring, researchers also observed bobcats, coyotes, gray foxes, mule deer and mountain lions using a nearby trail.

Camera monitoring is part of a long-term research program with 14 objectives. Scientists will study wildlife use, genetic diversity, vegetation, light, sound and other indicators of ecological function. Earlier work included GPS tracking of larger mammals, genetic research on smaller vertebrates and monitoring at other possible crossing sites.

Park biologists have examined wildlife movement and fragmented habitat in the region since 1996. Their findings on barriers created by freeways and urban development helped establish the scientific basis for the crossing.

Source: National Park Service news release, November 4, 2026.