A group of veterinary medicine students from Purdue University in Indiana, USA, as well as students from the State University of São Paulo (USP) and veterinary medicine residents from the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), had a practical lesson on blood collection in reptiles at Dreams Eco Park this week.
The activity was given by the park's veterinarian, Stacy Wu, under the coordination of Professor Dr. Andrea Santos, from Purdue University.
Before collecting blood samples from pyranga tortoises, one of the species of animals that inhabit the "Immersion of Birds" nursery at Dreams Eco Park, the students had a practical lesson on the proper handling of wild animals.
The lesson also included a tour of the park's animals and a visit to the birds of prey enclosure (vultures, eagles, hawks, owls and falcons) and the horse stables.
To end the program, the students watched a presentation by the Criollo horse and the flight of birds of prey, under the command of falconers.
"We can only thank them for teaching us how to care for animals and for the discussions we had about the management, clinic and pathologies of the park's animals. I'm also grateful for the content shared with my students," said teacher Andrea Santos. She added: "We'll be back soon to learn about the art of falconry".
For American student Luke Bousema, three things caught his attention during his visit. The first was the Brazilian history and culture told through the presentation of the Criollo horse. The second was the conditioning of the birds by the falconers shown during the presentation and, finally, and just as importantly, the care taken by the staff with all the animals in the park.
The lesson at the Eco Park is part of a project by teacher Andrea, who is visiting Foz do Iguaçu for the second year with her students to introduce them to activities related to public health medicine and wild animals in Brazilian wildlife enterprises. In addition to Dreams Eco Park, they also visited the Bird Park, the Iguaçu National Park, the Bela Vista Wildlife Refuge, the CCZ and the Guirá Oga Park in Puerto Iguazu, Argentina.
Eco Park
Dreams Eco Park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for visits to the Mini Farm, which has cows, sheep, rams, llamas, ostriches, mini pigs, among other animals that have been important for the formation of societies. You can also visit the "Bird Immersion", which houses more than 50 birds that have been victims of wildlife trafficking or mistreatment.
The Criollo Horse and Birds of Prey presentations take place at two times, in the morning at 10am and in the afternoon at 3.30pm.
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Foz do Iguaçu residents pay R$25 to visit and support the animal care activities at Dreams Eco Park.
During the month of August, the solidarity tariff also applies to residents of the municipalities bordering the Iguaçu National Park (PNI) and Itaipu Lake, including Cascavel and Toledo. The Paraguayan cities of Ciudad del Este, Hernandarias and Presidente Franco and Argentina's Puerto Iguazú are also taking part.
Dreams Eco Park is located next to the Dreams Park Show in Foz do Iguaçu, where you'll find the Wax Museum, Wonders of the World, Dinosaur Valley, Ice Bar and the Dreams Motor Show.
