Environmental Police Battalion rescues baby toucan in residential area of Ananindeua
More than 1,800 animals were recovered in the first half of the year, reinforcing the commitment of environmental policing to the preservation of fauna in Pará
On the morning of this Tuesday (16), the Environmental Police Battalion (BPA) rescued a baby toucan, from the toucan family, in a residential area of Ananindeua, in the Metropolitan Region of Belém. The animal was sent for care at the BPA headquarters and, after a veterinary evaluation, will be returned to its natural habitat.
Raquel Gaia has lived for five years in the residential area where the toucan was found. She reports that this is not the first time a wild animal has appeared and explains the care that residents take when locating them in the common areas of the condominium. "Due to the location being a well-wooded area, there are nearby sites that house other birds, little monkeys, and now and then, these wild animals appear here. Whenever it happens, we immediately call the Battalion specialized in rescuing animals in vulnerable situations through 190," she detailed.
First Lieutenant of the BPA, Fagner Batista, highlighted the importance of immediate notification to the authorities to ensure the safety of both the animal and the population. "It is essential that the population does not attempt to handle or capture the animal on their own. Many species, even young ones, can easily injure themselves or transmit diseases if not handled correctly. Therefore, upon spotting a wild animal in a risky situation, the guidance is to call 190, so that the rescue can be carried out safely and responsibly," he advised.
The veterinarian specializing in wild animals, Amanda Amorim, reinforced the need for contact with competent institutions in these cases. "Wild animals require specific care and any inappropriate intervention can cause stress, injuries, or even death. Additionally, some may carry zoonoses, putting human health at risk. The ideal is not to offer food, not to try to catch the animal, and to immediately contact the responsible environmental agency, such as the BPA, so that it can be sent to a rehabilitation center, where there is proper handling, with professionals who understand the animal's natural behavior, in order to keep it and prepare it to return to its natural habitat. The idea is always to reintegrate the animal into the free life to which it truly belongs," she emphasized.
More than 1,800 rescues this year
From January to June of this year, the Environmental Policing Command registered 1,814 rescued animals, in addition to 411 referrals to partner environmental agencies and rehabilitation centers. In the same period, there were 963 rescues of animals in illegal situations, 718 releases into nature, and 114 voluntary deliveries made by the population.
The head of the Environmental Policing Command, Colonel Orlandino Lima, emphasized that the numbers reflect the BPA's commitment to the preservation of fauna and the recognition of the corporation by society. "The Environmental Police Battalion is a reference in the rescue and protection of wildlife in Pará. This work not only ensures the preservation of species but also strengthens the environmental awareness of the population," he stated.
He also reinforced that the actions are part of the policies developed by the state government and the Military Police, which continue to act to protect animals and the natural resources of the region.
