BURN SURVIVOR TAPIR RETURNS TO PANTANAL
A male tapir named Valente has been reintroduced into the wild after receiving long-term care from the NGO Onçafari in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
The animal was rescued in August 2024 during the large-scale wildfires that severely affected the Pantanal biome.
Valente was found in critical condition by members of the NGO who were monitoring the burned areas in search of wildlife in danger. With severe burns on all four legs, he was taken to the Caiman Pantanal base in Mato Grosso do Sul, where he received intensive treatment.
“We found Valente lying in a completely burned area, very weak. He went through around five months of intensive medical treatment. From August to December, we were fully committed to improving his health. We used healing ointments, ozone therapy, laser therapy, tilapia skin, and provided thermal comfort to support the healing of his injuries,” said Ricardo Arrais, veterinarian at Onçafari.
After the treatment, Valente was moved to a rehabilitation area where he exercised, gained weight, and gradually regained essential survival skills.
"In January of this year, he was transferred to a one-hectare enclosure with characteristics similar to his natural habitat, including access to native vegetation and a large pond, providing opportunities for swimming. This was essential for his readaptation," says Lilian Rampim, biologist and coordinator at the NGO.
Following this adaptation period, he received tracking tags so he could be monitored in his natural habitat and was officially released back into the wild.
“When we assessed that he was fit, able to feed himself, escape predators, or deal with other tapirs, we released him in the same region where he had been rescued. We are now continuing to monitor his daily behavior, and so far he remains healthy and very active,” added the veterinarian.
More than ten professionals from the NGO participated in the rescue, treatment, and release of Valente, including veterinarians, biologists, and field guides.
Wildfires in the Pantanal have already devastated more than 2.6 million hectares of the biome, causing serious damage to biodiversity, the environment of the region, animals and local communities.