Colombian agencies rescue and release wildlife in Cundinamarca, Huila

In the municipality of Guaduas, a resident handed over 24 tortoises—including six hatchlings—along with a wounded macaw and three parrots to the Corporación Autónoma Regional de Cundinamarca (CAR). CAR’s technical team retrieved the animals and transferred them to the Centre for Wildlife Care and Evaluation (CAV) in Tocaima for veterinary treatment, rehabilitation and potential release. CAR director Karina Garzón Avellaneda emphasized, “The preservation of wildlife is fundamental for the balance of ecosystems.”

A separate effort in the department of Huila saw nine rescued wildlife specimens—including two water tinguas, a tortoise, an iguana, a false mapaná snake and four opossums—released back into natural habitats. The release was carried out by the police environmental unit in coordination with the Corporación Autónoma Regional del Alto Magdalena (CAM). Colonel Héctor Jairo Betancourt Rojas urged citizens to report any cases of wildlife at risk or illegal captivity, reinforcing the role of community involvement in biodiversity protection.