A newly named howler is already using rope bridges in Alta Floresta
National Geographic reported that Alouatta matogrossensis, described in October, showed up on camera traps along canopy crossings built to keep animals off the road.
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A howler monkey described as a new species in October is already walking rope bridges over roads in Alta Floresta. National Geographic reported on November 9, 2026, that Alouatta matogrossensis turned up in camera-trap photos from crossings built by Projeto Reconecta. Fernanda Abra, who leads the project, said the team was amazed to be giving a new species a safe way across. Romina Batista of the National Institute of Amazonian Research called the images important for gene flow between patches of forest.
Howler calls top 100 decibels and carry for miles. Genetic samples suggest this population has been separate for more than half a million years, cut off by rivers and by the Cerrado savanna. The same paper names a second howler, Alouatta iroi, farther north, and puts the howler count at 16. The bridges also carry the Alta Floresta titi, described in 2019, and Schneider's marmoset, described in 2021. The new howler is not yet on the IUCN list. Jean Boubli of the University of Salford said the damaged forest around it makes him think the species is endangered or critically endangered, which is his reading, not a formal listing. The news is the bridge photos. It is not a census.
For the classroom
National Geographic reported on November 9, 2026, that a newly named howler monkey is already using rope bridges in Alta Floresta, Brazil. Scientists described the species in October, then found it on cameras along bridges built so animals can cross above the road. Fernanda Abra, who leads the bridge work, said they were amazed to be helping a new species cross safely. Howler calls are louder than 100 decibels. The same bridges are also used by two other monkeys described in recent years. The new howler is not on the official endangered list yet. The news is the photos on the bridges.
- Why would a rope above a road help a monkey?
- How can an animal be new to science and already living near a town?
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