Cozumel, Q.R. — Last year, the Cozumel Parks and Museums Foundation (FPMC) says they attended to 55 citizen reports that resulted in the rescue of dozens of animals. The agency says that concerned citizens made the calls for them to intervene in the rescue of animals that were at risk.
The update came from Rafael Chacón Díaz, director of Conservation and Environmental Education (CEA), who says that for more than 33 years, the FPMC has maintained various environmental education and conservation programs that has provided a connection with the community.
He says for this reason, concerned citizens are able to call for assistance when they encounter animals in distress. He elaborated that a majority of their rescues include animals hit by vehicles, birds colliding with glass and the discovery of unwanted reptiles in homes and around private properties. He says that on occasion, they also deal with animal attacks.
Chacón Díaz recognized the support of the community to safeguard the integrity of the island’s species. He says that rescued animals are reviewed and cared for by veterinarians who collaborate with the institution, so that FPMC biologists can later release them into their natural habitat.
Rafael Chacón specified that by the end of 2020, the Fundación de Parques y Museos de Cozumel (FPMC) rescued 12 bats, six opossums, three crocodiles, eight tortoises, two dwarf raccoons, an armadillo and 23 birds.
He says all the rescues were due to citizen calls to the Conservación y Educación Ambiental (CEA). He reminds people that they can report an animal in distress or the finding of an unwanted reptile by calling the Center for Conservation and Environmental Education 987-112-9791 located at 65 av. Zona Industrial.
