Since October 2022, the installation of **rope ladders and hanging bridges** in the tropical forests of the state of **Amazonas** has allowed **thousands of animals** —including **monkeys, opossums, and hedgehogs**— to cross roads without being exposed to traffic.
According to a report published on **August 12**, **collision reports have been reduced to almost zero**, marking a milestone in the protection of biodiversity.
## Reconnect: ecological infrastructure to restore landscape connectivity
The project led by Fernanda Abra combines science, indigenous knowledge, and technological monitoring.
The initiative, known as Reconnect Project, has installed **30 rope and wire bridges** between the treetops. These structures were designed in collaboration with the **Waimiri-Atroari indigenous people**, who provided knowledge about **local fauna movement patterns**.
Each bridge is equipped with **camera traps** that record animal usage, generating key data to:
– Monitor wild populations
– Plan the location of future crossings
– Evaluate the impact on the conservation of threatened species
## Roads and habitat fragmentation: a growing problem in the Amazon
Road expansion divides ecosystems and puts species that **depend on the canopy** at risk.
The construction of roads in the Amazon region has caused **severe habitat fragmentation**, forcing animals to cross asphalt and exposing them to **fatal collisions**. This was the case for the **Groves’ titi**, one of the **25 most endangered primate species in the world**, inspiring Fernanda Abra’s commitment to protecting arboreal fauna.
“The Groves’ titi depends on trees to move. Without connectivity, it loses access to resources and reproductive capacity,” explained Abra.
## Biomimetic design: bridges that mimic the natural environment
The structures are designed to facilitate safe transit and respect species behavior.
The hanging bridges were designed to **replicate the conditions of the forest canopy**, allowing species like the **Guiana spider monkey**, the **red-handed howler monkey of Spix**, and the **golden-handed tamarin** to move without risks. Some crossings incorporate **zip-line crossings**, adapted to the locomotor skills of primates.
## Applied science for conservation: monitoring and strategic planning
The **camera traps** installed on each bridge record:
– Species usage frequency
– Transit schedules
– Behaviors associated with crossing
This information is essential to **optimize design**, **identify new intervention areas**, and **strengthen ecological connectivity** in fragmented landscapes.
## A replicable model for Latin America
Reconnect demonstrates that green infrastructure can **save lives and restore ecosystems**.
The success of the project in Brazil opens the door to **replicating this strategy in other tropical regions**, where road expansion threatens biodiversity.
The combination of **technology, community participation, and scientific research** offers a roadmap to **integrate conservation and territorial development**.
