Based on coordinated work between the Ministry of Energy and Environment of Mendoza and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Santa Fe, the honey bear rescued from illegal trafficking months ago was reinserted into its habitat.
In March, a specimen of the honey bear (Tamandua tetradactyla) was rescued by the Rural Police in the department of Junín, at the request of local residents who saw it and notified the authorities. As soon as the Rural Police identified and rescued the specimen, they referred it to the Fauna Department of the Ecopark and Biodiversity Directorate and thus the honey bear entered the Mendoza Ecopark in quarantine, with observation and comprehensive health care.
After receiving the first attention, the bear was transferred weeks ago to the La Esmeralda Fauna Rescue, Interpretation and Research Center, in Santa Fe, to complete its recovery. After spending a few days at the rescue center where he underwent a second veterinary check-up, he was reinserted into his natural environment in the north of the Argentine coastal province.
“From Mendoza we understand that caring for the environment exceeds provincial limits and that we must work in an articulated manner with the other provinces to be able to establish serious and quality public policies for the real conservation of biodiversity in our country,” highlighted the Minister of Energy and Environment, Jimena Latorre.
For his part, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Santa Fe, Enrique Estévez, highlighted that “this work is part of the public policies that we carry out for the care and conservation of biodiversity, one of our management priorities.”
It should be noted that in addition to the Melero Bear, the Biodiversity and Ecopark Directorate of the Government of Mendoza derived 15 talking parrots (Amazona aestiva) and one macaw (female), also rescued from illegal trafficking. Currently, the animals continue with their recovery treatment at the La Esmeralda Fauna Rescue, Interpretation and Research Center, waiting to reach optimal conditions for their reintegration into northern Santa Fe.
“I want to highlight the enormous and conscious work of the Fauna and Ecoparque teams for having achieved that these individuals can have this second possibility,” said Latorre.
Those who wish to provide information about injured wildlife or report cases of illegal hunting or possession can do so through the official website of the Ministry of Energy and Environment (Complaints bookmark). You can also contact the Biodiversity Directorate by telephone at 261 5182481 or 261 3853400 (Wildlife Intern: 3411), from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 911 (Mendoza Rural Security Police).
