A journey through the Pigeon River Gorge can be treacherous — whether you're traveling on four wheels or four legs. Here Interstate 40 winds through the steep, forested terrain of the Great Smoky Mountains allowing cars to drive east to west but preventing wildlife from moving north to south. When large animals like bears, deer and elk do try to cross, the result is often deadly. By studying this road and how wildlife interact with it, Wildlands Network and the National Parks Conservation Association find ways to make the Gorge safer for wildlife and people alike.