After rescuing rhea chicks in a police operation, authorities from the Environment department of San Luis confirmed that they are now closer to returning to the wild.
Out of the specimens that arrived in January, two survived. When they were newborns, they weighed about 300 grams, and today they exceed 3.5 kilograms.
The Wildlife Conservation Center works with large numbers of native specimens that are rehabilitated and in most cases, released back into their natural habitat.
Rescued rhea chicks: what happens next
The rhea is a protected bird.
Their story began on January 27, when they arrived at the Floro Faunistic Reserve of La Florida, coming from a seizure in Villa Mercedes.
The birds were in good overall health and were supervised by the veterinary team.
Over time, two of them managed to adapt and develop in a specially prepared enclosure for them.
As indicated, when a rhea is raised from a young age, it becomes “tamed” and gets used to people. “But it remains a wild animal that can cause problems with other pets or transmit diseases,” they clarified. In addition, their captivity can affect their natural development.
“When we receive the animals, they are checked to determine their condition and then they go into quarantine, isolated from the other specimens already at the center to prevent any contagion,” stated the CCVS veterinarian, Julieta Poggi.
Rhea chicks growing.
“They are given antibiotics and receive any necessary treatments,” she added.
Furthermore, she emphasized the importance of people understanding that these are not animals that can be domesticated because it causes them irreversible harm or harm that is very difficult to remedy.
The rhea, a protected bird in San Luis
In San Luis, the rhea is a protected wild bird and its hunting is prohibited by the Provincial Law of Conservation of Flora and Fauna.
It is a non-flying bird with a long neck and sharp eyesight. It can reach speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour, measure one meter in height, and live for about 15 years.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) considers it a “near threatened” species and the National Environment sub-secretariat considers it a “threatened” species.
When they return to the wild.
It won’t be long before these specimens, if their conditions continue to improve, can return to the wild. Native animals cannot be released without first receiving veterinary advice and treatment, ensuring their survival in their natural environment.
Where to report cases of animal victims
If you are aware of injured wild animals outside their habitat, or if you observe specimens affected by pet trade or illegal trafficking, you should contact the Fauna Department of the Environment Secretariat.
You can call at 2664 452000 extension 3372, or make a report to the Environmental Police through 911.
