In a coordinated effort conducted by the Colombian Navy, the National Army, the National Police, the General Maritime Directorate, the Omacha Foundation and Corporinoqu铆a, 329 turtles and an armadillo were rescued, in three operations carried out in the departments of Arauca and Vichada. The specimens, after the assessment of their veterinary medical condition, were returned to their natural habitats to work on their survival.
The first two events occurred in the department of Vichada. One of them was when the authorities were alerted by people about the existence of a sabanero armadillo that had been abandoned in a sector of the urban area of the municipality of Puerto Carre帽o, this led to the animal being immediately rescued and later released into the Bojonawi Nature Reserve, which is part of the Armadillos of the Eastern Plains protection program.
This armadillo specimen, in the same way known as Cachicamo, is one of the five specimens found in this area of the country and its greatest threats are illegal hunting and indiscriminate burning of the savannah, among others.
Then, in this same department, in a rural area known as Juriepe, 300 Terecay turtles or Podocnemis Unifilis as they are scientifically known, were rescued, which apparently were going to be marketed for human consumption. However, the quick operation of the authorities led to their rescue and release in a remote area, suitable for conservation.
Finally, this time in the department of Arauca, on the border river of the same name, near the sector known as Clarinetero, a citizen voluntarily handed over to the Colombian Navy troops who were carrying out river control work, 29 turtles of the Galapago Llanero specimen, which were transported to the urban area of the city of Arauca and handed over to Corporinoquia officials to be valued and subsequently returned to their natural habitat.
So far this year, the Eastern Naval Force has safeguarded the lives of more than 493 specimens, including river dolphins, turtles, snakes, armadillos, ornamental fish, anteaters, among others.
The Colombian Navy, in support of the environmental authorities, will continue to carry out and support activities that led the conservation of fauna and flora, working for the protection of the environment and the natural resources of the country. In the same way, it invites people to notify environmental authorities such as Corporinoqu铆a in Arauca, Casanare and Vichada, and in the department of Meta in Cormacarena or the Omacha Foundation, in a timely manner about any anomalous situation.
