Professor Marcelo Gordo at the Conservation Biology Laboratory, Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM) leads the project to protect the critically endangered pied tamarin in and around the rapidly expanding city of Manaus, where urban growth has caused severe habitat loss and fragmentation.

The city now contains a mosaic of small forest fragments separated by roads, cleared land, and degraded habitats. For pied tamarins, moving between these fragments is extremely dangerous – they are frequently killed crossing roads, or electrocuted when they try to use power cables to move around. This means that isolated groups can’t meet and mix, become inbred, and ultimately die out. Degraded forest also contains fewer resources such as fruit trees that the tamarins feed on. 

Tamarin Trust is supporting the project’s innovative approaches to helping pied tamarins. Nurseries to grow native seedlings have been established; the young trees are then planted out to improve degraded areas. Supporters of Tamarin Trust are providing funding for this vital work to create the complex habitats that tamarins and other wildlife need.

To help connect patches of forest, Marcelo and his team have also constructed eight artificial canopy bridges to allow tamarins to cross roads safely, including two bridges over the BR‑174 highway that runs north from Manaus. 

We are now helping the project to extend its efforts. The tree planting initiative is expanding, and two new canopy bridges will be installed in the coming year. Maintenance of existing bridges will be carried out alongside assessing potential new bridge sites for safety. 

Community engagement is also central to the project. Through workshops and restoration activities, the team has developed partnerships with rural landowners within the pied tamarin’s range. In 2026, native seeds will be purchased from these producers, providing income incentives that encourage forest conservation on private lands.