A wildlife rescue center located in Rio de Janeiro is trying to give animals another opportunity to survive on their natural habitat.
Rescuing these innocent animals from the hunters that attract them from the Atlantic Forest (as seen in this Documentary), The Vida Livre Institute (Meaning Free Life), consisting of a group of volunteers from biologists to a veterinarian, has worked together to save and restore thousands of wildlife, giving them a second chance.
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Volunteers not only use their special education and training to help these animals recover properly, but re -introduce them to their natural habitat when they are ready.
The team recalled the time in 2024 when they received a Capuchin monkey in the Rio Botanical Garden that showed some strange behavioral patterns for primates. After conducting blood tests on animals, it becomes clear that they are given sedatives.
Professionals mention that, unfortunately, many hunters use this method and put sedatives in their food that will attract animals, disguise them in a variety of dishes, making it easier for them to take the animal. This new -recent, in March 2025, they have two More coming to facilities in the same state, looking very Lethargic And get out of there.
“When they arrive, they are very irregular,”
President of the Vida Livre Institute, Roshed Seba, go straight to Mongabay In the video.
“They are evaluated by the veterinarian and take their blood.”
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These incredible institutions are responsible for treating more than 13,000 animals, many from the Atlantic forests in Brazil, such as owls, boas, sloths, pumas, monkeys, and more.
The institute has a Toucan that has lost most of its beaks because of the trap of the distributor, aimed at getting the animal, taking it from his home in the wild.
Going up and outside, when Toucan is saved, they use a 3-D printer to create a prosthetic, replacing a lost piece of beak, so that Toucan can function as usual. Just one of the many incredible stories from the institute.
There are also sloths that come to them, which looks like sedatives, just like monkeys. “Imagine Sloth medicine,” Seba said. “It’s almost dead.”
According to industry experts, they have found that distributors seek wildlife to sell these animals on internet and social media platforms.
“Wildlife trading has more effects than those who imagine,”
Executive Director of Freeland Brasil (an organization against wildlife trafficking), said Juliana Machado Ferreira.
“In addition to the individuals suffering, we also lose pollinators, seed spreaders, animals with ecological roles.”
Wildlife trade unfortunately money makers, not too far behind things like human trafficking, drugs, and experts.
“Wildlife traffic producers can only exist in conjunction with other crimes such as fraud, counterfeiting, smuggling, crime associations, among others,”
Ferreira State. The Vida Livre Institute strives not only to help these animals in need, but organize for them, spreading the news on the issue of wildlife trafficking.
“I like the institute to be empty,” Seba admits, “and is only dedicated to discussing the beauty of Brazil’s fauna to inspire the public.”
Researchers continue to handle these cases and educate when the opportunity arises.