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Environmental Patrol rescues 40 possums in a single day across the city
Published on 16/09/2020 - 12:57 | Updated on 16/09/2020 - 13:09
The vast majority of rescues are carried out in homes where possums seek to build nests. - Photo: Disclosure/ SMAC Rio de Janeiro City Hall, through its Environmental Patrol, rescued 15 opossums, most of them babies, in various parts of the city on Tuesday, September 09. This is one of the largest opossum rescues ever recorded this year in a single day, and it marks the beginning of the wild animals' nesting season, which begins with spring.
– We are receiving an average of 60 to 80 animals per day. This is because we are approaching spring, which is the reproductive season for wild animals. Most of them are opossums, but soon other offspring will start arriving. It is no wonder that we end up receiving an average of 1.300 opossums per year, explains veterinarian Jeferson Pires, head of the Wildlife Recovery Center (CRAS) at Estácio de Sá University.
The Environmental Patrol directs weakened and sick animals to the Wildlife Recovery Center so that they can be treated and, when recovered, returned to nature through specific places for release, such as municipal parks.
Of the 40 opossums rescued on Tuesday, 20 were collected in neighborhoods in the West Zone. Of these, 6 were released shortly after because they were healthy. And the other 14, 10 of which were pups, were taken to CRAS. The other 20 rescues, all pups, were carried out in neighborhoods in the South and North Zones by agents from Base I of the Environmental Patrol.
Other wild animals were also rescued on Tuesday. A baby vulture and a baby jararaca snake were rescued in the South and North zones; and a capybara, an owl and a nightjar in the West Zone.
The vast majority of rescues take place in homes where opossums are trying to build nests. When residents discover this, they call the Environmental Patrol to rescue the animals. In most cases, the pups are abandoned by their mothers, who often die after giving birth.
The Environmental Patrol, part of the Municipal Department of the Environment, is made up of inspectors from the Department and municipal guards from the Environmental Defense Group. The City of Rio advises the public to call the patrol by dialing 1746 if they spot wild animals in urban areas or in any other risky situation. Handling the animals is not recommended. The 1746 hotline operates 24 hours a day.
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