Without Monkeys
there is no paradise
the
Campaign
We are fundraising to repair, maintain, and install monkey bridges as vital safe pathways for monkeys throughout Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
Join Us
This is a community initiated action that addresses the loss of critical and unique species and maintains Costa Rica’s biodiversity.
Research is conducted to identify the need for bridges that enable howler monkeys and other animals to cross roads instead of using electric lines, and risking electrocution.
This project is part of The Clean Wave’s greater mission towards environmental protection within our community. It is in collaboration and alignment with the mission of the organisation SalveMonos.
This project focuses on species such as the Howler Monkey as a way to address the Sustainable Development Goals of “Life on Land” and “Sustainable Cities and Communities.”
It seeks to balance the needs of the social, environmental, and economic factors through the management of a focal species, in this case the Howler Monkey.
We seek to not only reduce our negative impact on the environment but instead have a positive impact on our environment and community as a whole, ensuring harmony between humans and nature in a world where all species can thrive.
In accordance with the mission of SalveMonos, this project has expansion potential to the entirety of Guanacaste and even beyond.
More external partnerships with organizations and groups can facilitate this growth into a network of imaging systems studying monkey bridges and the animals that use them.
Community Partners
Thank you to our generous partners for their contributions and support in making waves of change with meaningful impacts. These sponsors have helped make our Monkey Bridge project possible.
Howler Monkeys (A.palliata palliata) are one of the four species of monkeys that live in Costa Rica.
They play an essential role in the local ecosystem and are distinct for their howl, which they use to communicate over long distances. They live throughout South and Central America, from rainforests to dryland forests, and are even common in edge habitats along mangroves and urban environments.
Howler Monkeys spend the majority of their lives in the trees and require continuous forest canopy for forging of leaves, fruit, and flowers. They live in troops of up to 60 individuals.
The major threat to Howler Monkeys exists in rapidly developing urban environments. This includes Tamarindo and Playa Grande, where the town has expanded into previously forested habitat.
ÚNETE A NOSOTROS
Rapid economic development and urbanization, is encroaching on native ecosystems and wildlife habitat. The rapid building and construction has led to cheap, uninsulated power lines that commonly electrocute tree-dwelling species, like Howler Monkeys that use the lines to cross roads.
As roads are drawn throughout the country, the forested landscape is increasingly fragmented, and tree-dwelling species rely on electric lines to safely cross roads from one forest to the next in search of food.
Thousands of electrocutions occur nationally every year, killing or severely injuring animals. These electrocutions often lead to orphan baby monkeys.
They also impact humans by causing power outages and electrical system failures that need repair.
Electrocutions have been deemed one of the most significant threats to the species survival.
Numbers have declined significantly in recent years, and low genetic diversity puts them at risk of genetic defects and low disease tolerance, further harming the species.
SalveMonos is a community initiated and led, nonprofit organisation united to address the disappearance of monkeys in the Guanacaste peninsula.
They have investigated causes of the problem and are working to create and implement solutions. They envision a world where societies can develop in harmony with the environment, protecting biodiversity and ensuring that every unique species and its place in the ecosystem is retained.
They define their mission as to “Protect and rescue the wildlife of Central America, especially monkeys, through actions and mechanisms that reduce the threats to their way of life, creating an appropriate environment for the reproduction of its species and guaranteeing the necessary help to individuals in danger.”
The first step in solving the problem is understanding it. The installation of bridges is informed by studies that identify howler monkey troops, their ranges, and their activity habits in this area.
This will allow us to locate areas where new bridges are needed, connecting critical fragmented tree habitats.
As urbanization continues, habitat changes, the project progresses, and bridges are implemented, monitoring will be carried out to analyze troop behavioral dynamics and effectiveness of bridges.
Monkey Bridges have been designed to facilitate safe crossing of electric lines for howler monkeys and other species.
These bridges consist of insulated power lines and rope “ladders” running across the road. They are build in association with cones or turntables that prevent the animals from using the anchor of the poles to climb, which puts them at risk of electrocution on the transformer.
Proper signage on main roads at wildlife crossings, will raise awareness for their crossing, promote education of the problem, and encourage support for the project.
The total budget for this project is $44,000
$8,000 – SalveMonos, working capital for ongoing maintenance, new studies, and operations.
$8,000 – TCW, working capital (campaigns, staff, web development, equipment)
$24,000 – Project costs including 2 studies($1800 each), current bridge repair, and new bridges
$4,000 – Monkey Foundation for Future bridges and maintenance for the year
We believe Tamarindo can be a Zero Waste Community. We focus on building an energized and connected community that comes together to make meaningful impacts.
We invite you to be part of the community and join us. See more about our Community Compost and Beach Clean Up. Together we can create clean healthy environments.
