This week, Eco Park received three araçaris chicks - a smaller relative of the toucan - that were only 10 days old and came from wildlife trafficking in Foz do Iguaçu.
After undergoing evaluation and clinical examinations, they are recovering in the park's Bird Treatment Unit (UTA), where they are heated 24 hours a day so that they can develop.
According to veterinarian Stacy Wu, the unit is similar to a human neonatal ICU. An environment dedicated to receiving baby birds that are underweight or have any condition that could compromise their growth.
"These chicks are receiving intensive care so that they can soon go into the enclosures," she explained. Stacy said that they are being fed via tube and special care is being taken to avoid imprinting. In other words, to prevent birds from recognizing humans as their closest "relatives".
Once they are weighted and fit to fly, Ecopark will consult the environmental agencies to find out the next steps in their rehabilitation.
If it is decided that they are unfit to return to the wild, the chicks can stay at the institution and be placed in the Bird Immersion Nursery. This space was created in the park to house birds that were being traded and kept illegally or in a situation of mistreatment.
In May, the unit had already received 18 birds from the Paraná Environmental Police (trinca-ferro, bico-de-pimenta, canário-da-terra, azulão, curió and coleirinho).
According to article 29 of Law 9.605/98, which deals with environmental crimes, anyone who catches native species or keeps them in captivity is committing a crime that carries a penalty of imprisonment from six months to one year and a fine. In this case, the offender will pay a fine of R$18,000.
R$ 15
Foz do Iguaçu residents interested in getting to know the work carried out at the Eco Park pay a solidarity fee of R$ 15. Tourists can check out the packages on the website: www.dreamsecopark.com.br.
In addition to the traditional visit, you can follow the work of the veterinarians and falconers via the Backstage.
On this visit, the activities begin first thing in the morning when the falconer visits the enclosures to check on the birds' physical and psychological condition, and then goes on to feed, weigh and condition the eagles, owls, hawks and falcons.
Also included is a guided tour to see the technical spaces and all the park's logistics. This includes the Mini Farm, which today has llamas, mini pigs, giant rabbits, goats, ostriches, cows, goats and more. There's also a tour of the "Bird Immersion" aviary. The horse stable is another space open to visitors.
The falconer's day ends after the presentation of the birds of prey, the most awaited moment for the falconer's assistant and also for the public visiting the Eco Park.
Schedule
The Eco Park is located next to the Dreams Park Show and is open daily from 9am to 5.30pm. The Criollo Horse and Birds of Prey shows take place at two times: in the morning at 10am and in the afternoon at 3.30pm.
