“Monkey bridges” are serving to endangered primates keep away from lethal highway crossings in Brazil.
Brazilian biologist Fernanda Abra launched these canopy-level pathways to present tree-dwelling species, just like the Groves’ titi monkey, a safer strategy to transfer above site visitors.
The thought got here after she noticed one of many monkeys dangerously near a busy highway, wholly uncovered to oncoming automobiles.
With an estimated 475 million vertebrate animals killed on roads annually, Abra has centered on increasing these aerial crossings.
She has additionally teamed up with the Waimiri-Atroari, an indigenous group within the Amazon, to develop a novel system designed particularly for wildlife.
For species such because the Groves’ titi monkey and golden-handed tamarin, roads have divided their forest properties, usually forcing them to danger crossing on foot.
Abra’s work goals to vary that by giving them a secure path above the site visitors.
As a part of her Reconecta Mission, Abra has constructed over 30 “monkey bridges” alongside BR-174, a serious freeway reducing by means of the Amazon, in response to CNN.
Her work, which earned her the 2024 Whitley Fund for Nature Award, goals to guard Brazil’s endangered species, such because the Groves’ titi, Schneider’s marmoset, and Guiana spider monkey.
Every bridge is fitted with cameras to watch how animals use the crossings and to trace people who hesitate or keep away from them.
This information helps researchers enhance the design, making the bridges more practical in offering secure passage for wildlife.
“Each time I see the video of the monkey utilizing my cover bridge, it’s fantastic as a result of we’re avoiding the scenario of highway mortality,” says Abra.
Reconnecting forests divided by roads does greater than present secure crossings—it helps wildlife survive.
These hyperlinks give animals higher entry to meals and enhance their probabilities of discovering mates, which is essential to retaining populations sturdy.
Abra stresses that reconnecting wildlife populations is essential to creating them stronger and supporting their development.
As Brazil expands its highway community, reconnecting wildlife habitats is changing into extra pressing.
In 2023, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva unveiled a $200 billion infrastructure plan, together with new highways that would additional disrupt ecosystems.
Comparable tasks are underway worldwide. In California, a wildlife overpass is being constructed over the 101 Freeway to assist animals like mountain lions, coyotes, and bobcats cross safely.
Abra is working to develop the Reconecta Mission past its present attain.
The initiative is now rising in Alta Floresta, a metropolis in Mato Grosso, the place she is partnering with authorities officers, non-profits, and universities to strengthen conservation efforts.
Along with cover monkey bridges, the mission consists of velocity bumps to sluggish site visitors and wildlife crossing indicators to alert drivers.
She goals to convey these options to extra areas throughout Brazil, recognizing its huge biodiversity and the necessity to shield its wildlife.
“I’ll do all the things that I can as an individual, as an expert, as a conservationist and researcher to guard this wealthy biodiversity,” she concluded.
Why is it important to save lots of the wildlife?
Wild animals are a relentless a part of on a regular basis life, however their influence on human survival is commonly missed, in response to WWE.
A brand new report, Nature’s Technicians, highlights the deep connections between folks and wildlife, displaying how every species performs a task in sustaining nature’s steadiness.
Each creature contributes to the well being of the planet’s ecosystems, from huge whales to tiny dung beetles.
Wildlife performs a significant function in retaining nature in steadiness. Pollinators assist bushes and crops develop whereas seed-spreading animals assist forests in storing carbon.
Massive species transport vitamins, benefiting ecosystems and industries like fisheries.
Tiny organisms enhance soil well being, aiding meals manufacturing and flood prevention.
In the meantime, scavengers and predators assist management illness, guaranteeing ecosystems stay steady.
The lack of wild species threatens each nature and human survival. Preserving ecosystems wholesome isn’t just about their presence—there should be sufficient of them, they usually should be numerous.
Thriving wildlife helps preserve steadiness, guaranteeing that species work together with their environment in ways in which maintain life.
Right here’ how Fernanda Abra’s monkey bridges save the Groves’ titi monkeys and different animals in Brazil:
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