Turtles from Mangal das Garças find a new home in São Paulo
In the early hours of July 3, 2025, Thursday, the Mangal das Garças Zoobotanical Park, located in Belém do Pará, sent two turtles to the Itatiba Zoopark in São Paulo. The Belém park has a partnership with the Zoopark, which is currently preparing a new visitation space with reptiles from all over Brazil.
The turtles sent were of the Amazon Turtle species (Podocnemis expansa) and, weighing over 20 kilograms, were transported by plane. The entire process was certified in conjunction with IBAMA and the municipal SEMAS. “Since these animals were actually born in Mangal, the documentation is up to date to ensure they are healthy,” comments Camilo Gonzalez, veterinarian at the Mangal das Garças Zoobotanical Park.
The veterinarian mentions that it was a challenge to build the adapted transport boxes, as they are aquatic animals, and the journey requires more caution. “We applied mineral oil all over their bodies to prevent dehydration. So, they were all covered in mineral oil, and we used eye drops to keep their eyes moist.”
The little ones arrived safely in São Paulo and are now undergoing a period of observation and quarantine before joining the other turtles in the enclosure.
The Mangal das Garças conducts work with Amazon turtles of various sizes. With a large population, the complex can send species to other places. The new home for the little turtles is already suitable to receive them, with climate control and plenty of care.
The partnership between the Zoopark and Mangal has existed since 2023, with a lot of knowledge exchange. Recently, the veterinarian from Mangal was present for 15 days in training with technicians and staff from the São Paulo park. Additionally, they have already exchanged animals, aiming to enrich the genetic pool in the parks. Mangal received two flamingos and two black-necked swans, and in return, twelve scarlet ibises and two jabirus raised in the park were donated to the Itatiba institution.
Service - Visits to the Mangal das Garças Zoobotanical Park occur from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8 am to 6 pm. On Mondays, the park is closed for maintenance.
Location: Rua Carneiro da Rocha, s/n, in the Cidade Velha neighborhood, in Belém.
Text by: Bianca Portela - Intern at Ascom OS Pará 2000, supervised by Beatriz Santos
