Biologist Gabriel Falquetto, while monitoring wildlife along Brazil’s ES-164 highway, encountered a critically endangered buffy-headed marmoset that had been killed on the road. This incident highlights the impact of human activities on biodiversity, especially given that nearly 9 million mammals are killed on Brazil’s roads annually. In contrast, in Alta Floresta, efforts to mitigate wildlife-vehicle collisions have been more successful since the installation of canopy bridges in 2024, which have allowed 15,000 safe crossings for arboreal animals without any recorded roadkill. The program, known as Projeto Reconecta, aims to enhance wildlife connectivity and reduce roadkill through further installations and collaboration with local stakeholders.
Biologist Fernanda Abra emphasized the importance of adapting to new crossing alternatives, as animals may take time to use the bridges. The project follows similar successful initiatives in collaboration with Indigenous peoples and is looking to expand to other regions in Brazil, aiming to address the challenges posed by highways on wildlife. A pending bill in Brazil’s Congress could promote further measures to ensure wildlife safety on roads.