Kids Saving The Rainforest Monkey Bridge Program

By Adriana Quesada,  KSTR Manager & Monkey Bridge Program Director

KSTR has a program dedicated to help the Titi Monkeys (squirrel monkeys), as well as the other species of monkeys that live in the Manuel Antonio Area.

The leading causes of death for this endangered species are electrocution by electrical wires while crossing roads and being hit by cars. That’s why, as part of our plan to help the Titi monkeys, we have placed monkey bridges that cross above the roads of Manuel Antonio and surrounding areas to give these adorable creatures a safer way to travel in the rainforest, to get food, shelter and to be in good physical condition; yeah that’s right, Titi monkeys need to travel 17 km a day to be in good shape.

With the help of local experts and the Costa Rican Institute of Electricity (ICE) we have put up more than 150 Bridges in the Manuel Antonio area, Parrita, Uvita, and Playa Grande Guanacaste, where people have become conscience about the big problem that electrocution of wildlife is, and they’re taking actions to prevent or reduce the risk of death not only to Titi monkeys but other wildlife around the forest, and we’ll keep putting up more as needed.

Our specialized “monkey bridge team”, is in charge of the maintenance of the bridges, and go out every month to check their condition and how they’re working.  We put up the bridges where we have learned that monkeys are crossing on the road rather than through the trees, or when there has been an electrocution.

As an organization dedicated to help the rainforest and wildlife we are committed to do our best effort to take this program around the country to all the areas where electrocution is a cause of death for many wildlife species.

Donations are very important to support this project, thanks to all the donors for their help. To adopt a monkey bridge, or to find out more information about the project, contact Adriana at 8835 6658.