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.
This is a community initiated action that addresses the loss of critical and unique species and maintains Costa Rica’s biodiversity.
Through research and action, we identify what the local wildlife need in order to survive amid human development and take action in ensuring these needs are met.
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.
Research is conducted to better understand the ecosystems and wildlife that are present in the area. This helps us identify critical areas for land conservation and reforestation and identify the need for measures that prevent accidents from occurring, like wildlife bridges.
Monkey Bridges are installed which enable howler monkeys and other tree-dwelling species to safely cross roads without the risk of electrocution that comes with crossing electric wires.
We currently have Resilient Communities Studies and Monkey Bridge installation in three communities.
15 Monkey Bridges installed, including our first prototype using upcycled bus seatbelts.
6 bridges have been built for the Tamarindo-Langosta area so far!
We raised $4,183!
We had a fantastic fundraiser event at Oveja Surf House with a Silent Auction, Raffle, Food, Drinks, and Music! Thanks for coming together as a community to support this project and thanks for an amazingly fun night!
We’ve launched the Resilient Tamarindo Study in the Tamarindo-Langosta area to help us understand the ecology and environment as well as the social dynamics of the Howler Monkey Troops in this area. The understanding gained in this study will help us strategically place monkey bridges and develop strategies that help humans and animals like the Howler Monkey thrive together in resilient communities. We will also be evaluating the condition of existing Monkey Bridges.
We’ve kicked off the Resilient Playa Grande Study to help us understand the ecology and environment as well as the social dynamics of the Howler Monkey Troops in this area. The understanding gained in this study will help us strategically place monkey bridges and develop strategies that help humans and animals like the Howler Monkey thrive together in resilient communities. We will also be evaluating the condition of existing Monkey Bridges. This Study will last 3 months.
We’ll be implementing a new bridge design that utylizes old bus seatbelts. We got this design from an open source plan implemented in Malaysia. Way to upcycle!
We’ve funded the initial cost of the Resilient Playa Grande Study to help us understand the ecology and environment as well as the social dynamics of the Howler Monkey Troops in this area. The understanding gained in this study will help us strategically place monkey bridges and develop strategies that help humans and animals like the Howler Monkey thrive together in resilient communities. We will also be evaluating the condition of existing Monkey Bridges.
We raised $4,183!
We had a fantastic fundraiser event at Oveja Surf House with a Silent Auction, Raffle, Food, Drinks, and Music! Thanks for coming together as a community to support this project and thanks for an amazingly fun night!
We’ve kicked off the Resilient Ocotal Study to help us understand the ecology and environment as well as the social dynamics of the Howler Monkey Troops in this area. The understanding gained in this study will help us strategically place monkey bridges and develop strategies that help humans and animals like the Howler Monkey thrive together in resilient communities. We will also be evaluating the condition of existing Monkey Bridges. This Study will last 3 months.
We’ll be implementing a new bridge design that utylizes old bus seatbelts. We got this design from an open source plan implemented in Malaysia. Way to upcycle!
We’ve funded the initial cost of the Resilient Ocotal Study to help us understand the ecology and environment as well as the social dynamics of the Howler Monkey Troops in this area. The understanding gained in this study will help us strategically place monkey bridges and develop strategies that help humans and animals like the Howler Monkey thrive together in resilient communities. We will also be evaluating the condition of existing Monkey Bridges.
We raised $4,183!
We had a fantastic fundraiser event at Oveja Surf House with a Silent Auction, Raffle, Food, Drinks, and Music! Thanks for coming together as a community to support this project and thanks for an amazingly fun night!
SalveMonos is a community led, nonprofit organisation united to address the disappearance of monkeys in the Guanacaste peninsula. For nearly 20 years, they have combined investigation and research with action and implementation.
SalveMonos envisions 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.
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 urbanization and economic development, especially in areas that attract international tourists, 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 of monkeys 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.
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.
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.
