Bogotá, Jan 14 (EFE).- Regional authorities have released a fox cub and an oncilla, an endemic small pheline, back into the wild following their rehabilitation after being found in critical and severely malnourished conditions.
The crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous), a cub weighing just 300 grams, arrived at CORNARE’s Wildlife Attention and Evaluation Center (CAV) on Sep. 28 after being found on a road where its mother died.
The cub showed moderate dehydration and some digestive changes, «probably due to a lack of food before its rescue,» according to the Regional Autonomous Corporation of the River Basins Negro and Nare (CORNARE) in Antioquia, Northwestern Colombia.
On Nov. 28, the oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus) was rescued in critical condition in a rural area of El Peñol, Antioquia.
«It was found disoriented on a farm, underweight, and with neurological changes, but thanks to a treatment led by the CAV’s technical team, the cat responded adequately, and its health rapidly improved,» the company said.
The authorities determined that the animals showed «wildlife behavior» such as climbing trees or hunting using camera traps and decided they could be integrated into the wild.
With the help of the Colombian Air Force, they moved both animals to a protected area difficult to access.
«Both the fox and the oncilla are key species in the ecosystems of the CORNARE region. Their release not only contributes to the ecological restoration but also raises awareness on the importance of protecting wildlife and preventing illegal possession,» said CORNARE. EFE
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