Keeping Habitats Connected.

Animex Wildlife Bridge

In association with People’s Trust for Endangered Species, we have developed a tried-and-tested, cost-effective mitigation solution for maintaining and enhancing habitat connectivity for arboreal species—including the Hazel Dormouse, Red Squirrel, and other wildlife—on development and infrastructure projects.

The wildlife crossing structure features a bespoke, adaptable design and can be built as a free-standing installation or retrofitted into existing structures such as overpasses. We work closely with National Highways on bridges constructed over major roads to ensure both safety and design quality.

The Animex Bridge is:

  • Tried and Tested

  • Instant Connectivity

  • Cost-Effective

  • Bespoke & Adaptable

To find out how the Animex Wildlife Bridge could be utilised in your project, please get in touch with one of our advisors.

Tried & Tested Arboreal Connectivity

The bridge was developed in collaboration with the People's Trust for Endangered Species, based on a Japanese design, and was successfully trialled with Hazel Dormice and Red Squirrels on the Isle of Wight. Monitoring using camera traps confirmed that both species used the bridge to cross between isolated habitats, as shown in the accompanying video. This research was published in 2019, with a second paper released in 2022 featuring case studies of the bridge in the UK. Download our information pack to read both publications.

Research on this successful design has been presented internationally, including at Infra Eco Network Europe 2018, the International Conference on Ecology and Transportation 2017, 2021 and 2025, and the National Dormouse Conference 2016 and 2019.

Adaptable configurations

Free-standing

The standalone bridge can be constructed in areas without existing infrastructure. It can be safely installed across roads, railways, or water features to reconnect fragmented habitats.

Retro-fit & attachment

The bridge can be retrofitted to existing structures such as bridges or culverts. This approach enhances structural strength and allows the bridge to span longer distances.

Temporary Construction

Bridges can be built to maintain connectivity during temporary vegetation removal. They are easy to assemble and dismantle, allowing vehicle and pedestrian access through different project phases.

Guidance & Best Practice

We have created guidelines to help you plan for incorporating an Animex Bridge into your project. The guidelines include where to locate and position the bridge, optimal design recommendations, how to monitor dormouse populations post-installation, and some helpful tips.

Update: Since the publication of this version, we have refined our processes and designs to include steel and rope alternatives, in addition to our standard aluminium system. This enables us to extend spans, meet varying design life requirements, and adapt to different budgets—ensuring a solution that suits any project.

The new version is expected in autumn 2025, along with additional free training and webinar sessions.

Contact us to be notified as soon as it is announced.

Project Examples

We have designed and supplied arboreal bridges for a variety of projects. Below is a hand-picked selection of case studies and summaries that highlight each project's unique challenges and outcomes.

  • Major Highway

    ATTACHED

    Two bridges were installed for dormice over and under the M1 in the UK. The bridges were attached to the parapet of an existing overbridge and to the wall of an existing culvert."

  • Substation Road

    FREE-STANDING

    A bridge was installed in Denmark to provide arboreal habitat connectivity for mammals across a newly constructed private access road.

  • Housing Development

    FREE-STANDING

    We have designed and installed various wildlife bridges in new housing developments to provide habitat connectivity across newly constructed roads

  • Pipeline Installation

    TEMPORARY

    Multiple bridges were designed and installed to maintain habitat connectivity during construction while still allowing vehicle and pedestrian access

  • Wildlife Park

    FREE-STANDING

    A demonstration bridge will be installed at Wildwood Wildlife Park in Kent to provide both the public and professionals with an opportunity to observe an Animex bridge in situ.

Wildlife Bridges & Crossing Structures

We design and develop solutions for all species.

Adapting our existing infrastructure is essential to safeguarding the future of wildlife and their habitats.

To ensure we regain and retain habitat connectivity across the world, we design, develop, and supply a wide variety of solutions and wildlife crossing structures.

Our team of biologists and engineers works together to provide solutions tailored to any project and any target wildlife species. This includes overpasses, underpasses, bridges, green urbanism, and more.

We are committed to preserving natural corridors and reducing habitat fragmentation.

Contact us if you would like more information or support in designing and implementing a wildlife crossing structure.

Our partners.

CampbellReith is an independent firm of consulting engineers that provides services from 5 UK offices and overseas. They provide engineering design and AIP’s for Animex bridge projects.

People’s Trust for Endangered Species has been standing up for wildlife for over 40 years. PTES co-designed and tested our original bridge design, which was trialled on the Isle of Wight during our initial research and development phase.