A capybara attacked in March in Rio de Janeiro was released in a western environmental reserve after veterinary treatment. The animal, which suffered cranial trauma and eye injury, received care for nearly two months.
The adult male capybara weighing 64 kilos was rescued in March on Ilha do Governador after being beaten with stones and iron bars. It showed cranial trauma, head and back wounds, cataract and a retinal lesion in the left eye.
Veterinarian Jeferson Pires explained that the visual impairment prevented return to the original habitat because of vehicle traffic. The animal was released on May 20 in an area with restricted access and lower risk of being run over.
Six men were charged by the Rio Public Ministry for animal cruelty with cruelty, illegal hunting, criminal association and corruption of minors. Ibama imposed fines of R$ 20 thousand on each of the eight involved, totaling R$ 160 thousand, marking the first application of the federal decree Justiça por Orelha.