In compliance with its mission to ensure the protection and well-being of fauna, the Regional Autonomous Corporation of Tolima, Cortolima, has cared for 385 turtles between 2022 and so far in 2024, through the Center for the Care and Assessment of Wildlife (CAV). ).
Only in the first months of this year, CAV professionals have received 43 turtles, from seizures, voluntary surrenders and rescues, which are subjected to the respective clinical-biological and behavioral evaluation.
As explained by Diego Iglesias, the entity’s veterinarian, the individuals then enter a quarantine process to determine their origin and return them to their natural habitat in different areas of Tolima or in other departments, with the support of other corporations.
The professional indicated that, in this same period, after completing the physical and biological rehabilitation process, 214 turtles have been released. The majority of the individuals, Iglesias explained, belong to the species morrocoy (Chelonoidis carbonarius) and hicotea (Trachemys callirostris).
“The call to the community is that, please, when you see the turtles, do not take them as pets or domestic fauna since these individuals require a specific natural habitat to reproduce and develop their healthy life cycle all year long.” time,” he said.
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