The CSG, in partnership with the Veterinary Hospital Institute (IHVET) of the University of Caxias do Sul (UCS) and the Environmental Command of the Military Brigade, successfully released seven rescued opossum pups in the Serra Gaúcha region of Brazil. This initiative is part of the Wildlife Protection and Monitoring Program, integrated into the Basic Environmental Management Plan (PBA) of the concessionaire.
The project also complies with the Operating License issued by the State Foundation for Environmental Protection Henrique Luís Roessler (Fepam). The opossums, belonging to the white-eared opossum species (Didelphis albiventris), were rescued from their mother’s pouch after she was hit by a vehicle on the highway. According to Karina Barros, the Environmental Supervisor at CSG, the young mammals required veterinary care.
“Immediately, our operations team collected the animals and took them for veterinary treatment. A total of eight pups were born, but one did not survive. The other seven received care until they were ready to return to the wild. The release took place in an area of native forest, close to their original location, with similar environmental characteristics,” Karina explained.
This procedure was conducted by CSG, in collaboration with the Environmental Command of the Military Brigade and Clóvis Azambuja from the Arvut company. The Wildlife Protection and Monitoring Program aims to assess the impact of animal roadkill in areas influenced by the highways managed by CSG in the Vale do Caí and Serra Gaúcha. The goal is to propose measures to reduce or eliminate wildlife mortality on these roads.
Since the start of the concession of block three of the highways, 17 animals have been rescued and taken for veterinary care. Of these, 11 were returned to the wild. A hawk and a coati could not return to their natural habitats and were integrated into the UCS Zoo.
Professor Gabriel Guerreiro Fiamenghi, the technical supervisor of the Zoo and Emergency Wildlife Care Center (CAE/IHVET) at UCS, emphasized the importance of reintegrating wildlife into their natural habitats for biodiversity preservation. “By returning these animals to their natural habitats, we help maintain ecosystem balance and ensure species continuity. This practice not only contributes to the recovery of wildlife populations but also strengthens biological diversity, essential for the proper functioning of natural processes and the health of the entire environment,” he stated.
Major Luis Henrique Suzin from the Environmental Command of the Military Brigade added, “Among the numerous actions carried out by the Environmental Command, the rescue and release of wildlife are among the most important. This initiative is crucial for biodiversity preservation and helps raise public awareness about the importance of environmental balance. We must think about the future.”
Upon identifying an injured animal on the road, a traffic inspection vehicle is dispatched to the location for handling and veterinary assistance. If motorists encounter a roadkill animal, they can contact the Operational Control Center at 08001220240.