How effective are canopy bridges really?

Three-year camera trap study of 17 arboreal bridges in Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula documented 2,231 animal crossings by at least 13 species, with wildlife use increasing steadily over time; rope bridges outperformed plastic mesh, and spider monkeys—a vulnerable species that avoids bridges initially—began successfully crossing after six years.

Long-term monitoring remains essential; larger arboreal species like howler and spider monkeys showed limited or delayed adoption, suggesting bridges alone cannot fully restore connectivity.