Quintana Roo Trains 308 Officials in Wildlife Rescue

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — The Institute of Biodiversity and Natural Protected Areas of Quintana Roo (IBANQROO), in coordination with the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA), the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Grupo Xcaret, Croco Cun Zoo, Akumal Monkey Sanctuary, and the Payo Obispo Zoo, has trained 308 personnel from fire departments, civil protection units, and ecology departments across the state’s eleven municipalities.

The initiative aims to enhance the operational capabilities of municipal authorities in firefighting, civil protection, and ecology, who assist federal agencies in responding to and rescuing wildlife in distress. These efforts align with the New Agreement for the Well-being and Development of Quintana Roo, promoted by Governor Mara Lezama, which emphasizes collaboration and strategic partnerships.

Comprehensive Training Program

The First Basic Course on Wildlife Rescue for Municipal Authorities spanned a total of 18.5 hours, divided into five virtual theoretical sessions held on June 12, 13, 16, 17, and 18, followed by six hours of practical training conducted on June 20, 24, 26, and 30.

The curriculum covered general principles of wildlife rescue, legislation, biology, anatomy, basic handling equipment, capture methods, safe containment and transport protocols, safety and hygiene measures, and ethical treatment of animals during rescue operations.

Hands-On Training Across Multiple Locations

Practical sessions were held at four key locations, where participants learned techniques for handling and containing birds, mammals, and reptiles under the guidance of wildlife experts.

• June 20th at Xcaret Park: Participants from Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Lázaro Cárdenas attended.
• June 24th at Croco Cun Zoo: Personnel from Puerto Morelos, Benito Juárez, and Isla Mujeres took part.
• June 26th at Akumal Monkey Sanctuary: Authorities from Tulum, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, and José María Morelos participated.
• June 30th at Payo Obispo Zoo: Representatives from Othón P. Blanco and Bacalar completed the training.

Equipment Donation for Enhanced Response

To further support wildlife rescue efforts, IFAW and IBANQROO provided each of the eleven municipalities with a basic wildlife handling kit valued at approximately $10,000 pesos per set. The kits included metal transport cages, kennel carriers of various sizes, herpetological hooks, snake transport buckets, catch poles, and restraint sticks.

This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to biodiversity protection and humane treatment of wildlife, equipping municipalities with specialized tools and training to respond effectively to wildlife emergencies.

The course was made possible through the collaboration of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Grupo Xcaret, Croco Cun Zoo, Akumal Monkey Sanctuary, and the Payo Obispo Zoo, along with their teams of wildlife experts.