Westloonse Wissel

This location is part of the "Flora & Fauna in Pauwels" cycling route.

The Westloonse Wissel is a wildlife bridge built in 2015 to connect natural areas Huis ter Heide and the Loonse and Drunense Dunes. Grids on both sides of the N261 lead animals to the bridge. The bridge not only prevents animal casualties, but also connects different groups of animal species and enlarges their habitats. In this way, the bridge contributes to the conservation and protection of animal and plant species.

Research with cameras, among others, shows that the bridge was discovered very quickly by all kinds of animal species: deer, fox, rabbit and badger used the bridge almost immediately after opening, but also the rarer stone marten, pine marten, viviparous hage-dis and natterjack toad were soon observed on the bridge. The bridge is working!