The Colombian Aerospace Force, in a coordinated work with the CORNARE environmental corporation, carried out the release of a wild cat, also known as a Woolly Tigrillo (leopardus tigrinus), which the object of a rehabilitation and recovery procedure.
The return of this feline to its natural habitat was possible thanks to the efforts of CORNARE (Regional Autonomous Corporation of the Basins of the Negro and Nare Rivers), and the Resources of the Air Combat Command No. 5 (CACOM 5) of the Colombian Aerospace Force, who teamed up to carry out this release in a place with the necessary conditions so that the Tigrillo can continue its life cycle and fulfill its biological functions.
The animal was taken by air in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, from CACOM 5 in the municipality of Rionegro, to a protected nature reserve in the Vida Maitamá Paramo, in the municipality of Sonson, in the south of Antioquia, an area that was determined by CORNARE, taking into account that it will be away from communities and urban centers, where it will enjoy its freedom again and adapt to its natural habitat again.
Air transport was essential for the success of the mission, because this nature reserve is two days from roads and trails, in the same way with a wooded topography and adverse weather, for which it was necessary a detailed planning, the escort of an AH-60 Harpy aircraft and the accompaniment of Air Commandos to work for the safety on the ground.
The exciting release comes after a rigorous six-month rehabilitation process at the Cornare Wildlife Care and Assessment Center -CAV-, where the institution's zoo-technicians and biologists provided the necessary care to the feline that had been put into captivity, in confined spaces and sharing the space with people and domestic animals.
With the release, the preservation, protection and care of biodiversity and the environment are sought, considering them as strategic assets of the Nation, for which operations such as these will continue to be supported by the Aerospace institution, making all its Resources available for the protection of wildlife.
Source: Public Communication Office CACOM 5
