The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing – currently being built over the 101 freeway in Los Angeles County, California – is expected to be completed by 2025. But today, anyone can preview the largest wildlife bridge in the world and learn about its impact on wildlife habitats through augmented reality on Snapchat.
The new “Wildlife Crossing” AR experience lets Snapchatters visualize the crossing and explore facts about its significance, the construction plans, and the impact it will have on a variety of species. By tapping on information markers, Snapchatters can learn about how the mountain lion “P-22” crossed the 101 freeway, and the importance of genetic diversity among wildlife for their survival. The Lens also details structural design choices that have been made to protect wildlife on the crossing, displaying realistic 3D models of mountain lions, mule deer, and desert cottontails.
The wildlife crossing can be viewed by anyone around the world in their own space through the Snapchat Lens, and those in the area can also see the AR bridge built over the real 101 freeway from Liberty Canyon in Agoura Hills, California.
In collaboration with the National Wildlife Federation and the Annenberg Foundation, this Lens was built by Snap Lens Network partner inCitu using our AR creation tool Lens Studio – building the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing (before its completion date!) in AR.
Because augmented reality is grounded in the real world, this tech can help people learn about the places and causes they care about in a more immersive way.