Monkeys Swing Safely Over Roads With New Canopy Bridges!

Quick Smiles:

• Monkeys in the Amazon now have safe passage over roads thanks to innovative canopy bridges.
• Fernanda Abra collaborates with the Waimiri-Atroari people to protect endangered primates.
• The Reconecta Project is expanding to new areas to further safeguard wildlife.

Why did the monkey cross the road? Because someone built a bridge for him.

In the depths of the Amazon Rainforest, travelers on the sparse highways might notice a series of rope bridges stretching above them.

These are not ordinary crossings; they are the brainchild of Fernanda Abra, a conservationist determined to make a difference.

Working with the Waimiri-Atroari, an indigenous group, Abra has developed a system of canopy bridges to aid tree-dwelling creatures.

Species like the Groves’ titi monkey and golden-handed tamarin, whose habitats have been divided by roads, now have a safer path.

Abra’s inspiration came when she first encountered a Groves’ titi on the asphalt, a poignant moment that led to the creation of the Reconecta Project.

With the help of local knowledge and grant funding, Abra has constructed 30 wildlife crossings, blending ropes and wires to form bridges that even include Tyrolean traverses.

Each crossing is equipped with a camera trap, allowing Abra to monitor usage and gather data for future conservation efforts.

“Every time I see the video of the monkey using my canopy bridge, it’s wonderful because we are avoiding the situation of road mortality,” Abra shares.

Her efforts have not gone unnoticed, earning her recognition for her contributions to nature conservation.

The Reconecta Project is not only reducing road mortality for species like Schneider’s marmoset and the Guiana spider monkey but is also expanding beyond Amazonas to Mato Grosso.

Abra is actively seeking support from universities, philanthropists, and governments to build more bridges.

“What amazes me about Brazil is the richness that we have, the wonderful biodiversity we have here,” she says, expressing her dedication to conservation.

Her work is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in protecting our planet’s precious wildlife.

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