Mato Grosso completes largest wildlife hospital in the Americas

The government of Mato Grosso has completed construction of the Wildlife Screening and Rehabilitation Center (Cetras) in Cuiabá. Described as the largest veterinary hospital in the Americas dedicated exclusively to wildlife, the facility covers more than 4,000 square meters at the Centro Político Administrativo.

The project involved an investment of approximately R$ 23 million through a partnership between the State Secretariat of Environment (Sema) and the Secretariat of Economic Development (Sedec). The complex includes veterinary care areas, quarantine enclosures, and parking. The facility is designed to centralize clinical procedures, surgeries, and specialized exams—such as dermatology and ophthalmology—to avoid the need to transport animals to multiple locations.

According to director Éder Toledo, the center has the capacity to treat up to 5,000 animals, depending on the species. It will receive wildlife through rescues, seizures during inspections, or voluntary surrenders. The facility is currently awaiting the purchase of furniture and equipment before it can begin operations.