Spider Monkey Killed on Playa-Tulum Highway, Sparks Calls for Action

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — A spider monkey was struck and killed by a vehicle on Federal Highway 307, the main thoroughfare connecting Playa del Carmen and Tulum, near the Punta Venado area. The incident has reignited calls for wildlife crossings along the roadway, particularly as habitat disruption from projects like the Maya Train continues to displace local fauna.

Details of the Incident

The collision occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 15, when the monkey attempted to cross the highway near kilometer 277, close to the Punta Venado curve. Witnesses reported the animal was moving from south to north, toward Playa del Carmen, when it was hit by an unidentified motorist who fled the scene.

The impact crushed the monkey’s skull, leaving its body on the roadside. Authorities from the National Guard’s Highway Division cordoned off the area to prevent further accidents, while personnel from Playa del Carmen’s Secretariat of Environment retrieved the remains.

Growing Demand for Wildlife Protections

This marks the latest in a series of wildlife fatalities along Highway 307, where speeding vehicles and a lack of mitigation measures have proven deadly for animals. Conservationists and residents have long advocated for wildlife crossings and warning signage, particularly as infrastructure projects like the Maya Train fragment habitats.

A similar incident occurred on April 28, when another spider monkey—a juvenile—was killed near the Mayakoba resort area. Environmental officials noted an adult female, likely the mother, was seen distressed nearby but retreated into the forest before rescuers could intervene.

Calls for Action

Local activists emphasize that without urgent measures, such tragedies will persist. The repeated incidents highlight the need for coordinated efforts between transportation authorities and environmental agencies to implement wildlife corridors and enforce speed limits in ecologically sensitive zones.