Back to Nature: Colombian officials free nearly 2,000 rescued animals

People hold cages with animals, which were seized and rehabilitated by authorities fighting wildlife trafficking before they are released into lagoons and forests in Colombia’s Meta province. Image: Reuters/As originally published by Inquirer.net

Staff Reporter, Inquirer.net | July 27, 2021

More than 1,900 turtles, reptiles and amphibians were released into lagoons and forests in Colombia’s Meta province over the weekend after being seized and rehabilitated by authorities fighting wildlife trafficking, officials said. Most of the animals – 1,917 – are matamata turtles, known for their impressive ridged shells. The turtles were seized in an April operation by Bogota’s city environment office and the environmental police at the cargo terminal of El Dorado airport, the environment office said in a statement.

Also released were 27 turtles from two other species, 15 iguanas, a zopilote snake and multiple frogs and toads. All of them were also seized in anti-trafficking operations.

“We have freed 1,960 specimens of wild Colombian fauna,” said Camilo Rincon, the head of environmental control at Bogota’s environmental office.

“With the help of our veterinarians we have rehabilitated and recovered these specimens so they can be liberated in their natural habitat, which corresponds to four civil reserves located in the province of Meta,” he said.

Genetic testing showed the animals came originally from Meta, the statement said. The large province is located south of Bogota and encompasses both wide plains and jungle.

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