A conservationist is creating bridges in the Amazon to help monkeys safely cross the road

“Monkey bridges” are helping endangered primates avoid deadly road crossings in Brazil.

Brazilian biologist Fernanda Abra introduced these canopy-level pathways to give tree-dwelling species, like the Groves’ titi monkey, a safer way to move above traffic.

The idea came after she spotted one of the monkeys dangerously close to a busy road, wholly exposed to oncoming vehicles.

With an estimated 475 million vertebrate animals killed on roads each year, Abra has focused on expanding these aerial crossings.

She has also teamed up with the Waimiri-Atroari, an indigenous group in the Amazon, to develop a unique system designed specifically for wildlife.

For species such as the Groves’ titi monkey and golden-handed tamarin, roads have divided their forest homes, often forcing them to risk crossing on foot.

Abra’s work aims to change that by giving them a safe path above the traffic.

As part of her Reconecta Project, Abra has built over 30 “monkey bridges” along BR-174, a major highway cutting through the Amazon, according to CNN.

Her work, which earned her the 2024 Whitley Fund for Nature Award, aims to protect Brazil’s endangered species, such as the Groves’ titi, Schneider’s marmoset, and Guiana spider monkey.

Each bridge is fitted with cameras to monitor how animals use the crossings and to track those that hesitate or avoid them.

This data helps researchers improve the design, making the bridges more effective in providing safe passage for wildlife.

“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,” says Abra.

Reconnecting forests divided by roads does more than provide safe crossings—it helps wildlife survive.

These links give animals better access to food and increase their chances of finding mates, which is key to keeping populations strong.

Abra stresses that reconnecting wildlife populations is key to making them stronger and supporting their growth.

As Brazil expands its road network, reconnecting wildlife habitats is becoming more urgent.

In 2023, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva unveiled a $200 billion infrastructure plan, including new highways that could further disrupt ecosystems.

Similar projects are underway worldwide. In California, a wildlife overpass is being built over the 101 Freeway to help animals like mountain lions, coyotes, and bobcats cross safely.

Abra is working to expand the Reconecta Project beyond its current reach.

The initiative is now growing in Alta Floresta, a city in Mato Grosso, where she is partnering with government officials, non-profits, and universities to strengthen conservation efforts.

In addition to canopy monkey bridges, the project includes speed bumps to slow traffic and wildlife crossing signs to alert drivers.

She aims to bring these solutions to more areas across Brazil, recognizing its vast biodiversity and the need to protect its wildlife.

“I will do everything that I can as a person, as a professional, as a conservationist and researcher to protect this rich biodiversity,” she concluded.

Why is it essential to save the wildlife?

Wild animals are a constant part of everyday life, but their impact on human survival is often overlooked, according to WWE.

A new report, Nature’s Technicians, highlights the deep connections between people and wildlife, showing how each species plays a role in maintaining nature’s balance.

Every creature contributes to the health of the planet’s ecosystems, from massive whales to tiny dung beetles.

Wildlife plays a vital role in keeping nature in balance. Pollinators help trees and crops grow while seed-spreading animals support forests in storing carbon.

Large species transport nutrients, benefiting ecosystems and industries like fisheries.

Tiny organisms improve soil health, aiding food production and flood prevention.

Meanwhile, scavengers and predators help control disease, ensuring ecosystems remain stable.

The loss of wild species threatens both nature and human survival. Keeping ecosystems healthy is not just about their presence—there must be enough of them, and they must be diverse.

Thriving wildlife helps maintain balance, ensuring that species interact with their surroundings in ways that sustain life.

Here’ how Fernanda Abra’s monkey bridges save the Groves’ titi monkeys and other animals in Brazil: