Centro de Recepción y Rehabilitación de Flora y Fauna Silvestre de la SDA

Summary

The Secretaría Distrital de Ambiente manages a wildlife reception center that rehabilitates and cares for animals seized or voluntarily surrendered in the city. Professional teams assess animals, providing medical care, nutrition, and specialized environments tailored to each species. Though the center successfully rehabilitates many, around 40% of animals cannot be released due to irreversible harm from human contact. The Secretary runs continuous awareness campaigns to prevent the illegal trade of wild animals and emphasizes the importance of leaving animals in their natural habitats, as they are not pets and cannot adapt to domestic environments.

Takeaways

• 😀 The District Environmental Secretariat operates a wildlife reception center to treat and rehabilitate animals that are confiscated or voluntarily handed over.
• 😀 Animals are received at the center from different locations, including terminals and the international airport.
• 😀 A professional team consisting of biologists, veterinarians, and zootecnic experts evaluates the animals upon arrival.
• 😀 Animals undergo a clinical, behavioral, and nutritional examination, and a clinical history is created to determine their diagnosis and treatment.
• 😀 Each animal's diet is carefully prepared by dedicated feeders according to specific nutritional protocols.
• 😀 Neonatal or infant animals are immediately transferred to a special area with controlled temperature and humidity to aid in their growth.
• 😀 Adult healthy animals are placed in enclosures that replicate their natural habitat, while sick or weakened animals are placed in a hospital area.
• 😀 After initial treatment, further laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures ensure the animals are ready for release without risk of spreading disease.
• 😀 Once rehabilitated, animals are released back into their natural habitat, with prior approval from the environmental authority.
• 😀 Around 40% of the wildlife received cannot be rehabilitated due to irreparable damage caused by human contact.
• 😀 The District Environmental Secretariat regularly runs campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of not capturing or buying wild animals, emphasizing that they are not pets.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the District Secretary of Environment's wildlife reception center?

The wildlife reception center serves to attend to and rehabilitate animals that are confiscated in the city or voluntarily surrendered, either at the center or at liaison offices located at bus terminals and the international airport.

How are animals evaluated when they arrive at the reception center?

Upon arrival, animals are assessed by a technical team consisting of professionals in biology, veterinary medicine, and animal husbandry. They perform a clinical, behavioral, and nutritional examination, administer medication, take laboratory samples, and assign the animal to an appropriate space.

What is the purpose of the clinical history recorded for each animal?

The clinical history is necessary to define the animal's diagnosis and final destination, ensuring proper treatment and rehabilitation.

How are the animals fed at the wildlife reception center?

The animals' diets are prepared and rationed by feeders, who chop fruits, vegetables, and prepare porridge according to nutritional protocols established by the animal husbandry department and veterinary needs aimed at recovery and well-being.

What happens to neonatal or infant animals that enter the center?

Neonatal or infant animals are immediately transferred to a neonatal zone where conditions of temperature and humidity are optimized for their growth and development. They are fed every one to two hours with porridge until they grow, at which point they are moved to a quarantine area.

What happens if an adult animal enters the reception center and is healthy?

Healthy adult animals are placed in enclosures that simulate their natural habitat's temperature and humidity, with food rationed accordingly.

What is done with sick or weakened animals that arrive at the center?

Sick or weakened animals are immediately transferred to the hospital area, where they undergo veterinary care following established protocols.

What steps are taken before an animal is released back into the wild?

Before release, animals undergo additional laboratory tests and diagnostic evaluations to ensure there are no epidemiological risks. After approval from the environmental authority, the animal is released back into its natural geographic area.

What percentage of wildlife brought to the center cannot be rehabilitated or released?

Approximately 40% of the wildlife that enters the center cannot be rehabilitated or released due to irreparable diseases, physical damage, or behavioral changes caused by human contact.

What actions does the District Secretary of Environment take to prevent wildlife harm?

The District Secretary of Environment conducts ongoing actions and campaigns to raise awareness among the public about not buying, selling, or removing animals from their natural habitats, as this causes irreversible damage to species and ecosystems.