Biologist advises on precautions the public should take when spotting a wild animal in urban or rural areas


A maned wolf pup was rescued by Klabin Ecological Park last year

Paraná, January 16, 2025 – Periods of higher temperatures encourage wild animals to move about more, as they search for food and water and often adjust their activity times to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Furthermore, summer coincides with the breeding season of several species, which is why spotting animals such as coatis, saruês (big-eared opossums), capybaras, armadillos, and snakes becomes more frequent at this time of year.

Paulo Schmidlin, Biodiversity Coordinator at Klabin, explains that rural areas and regions close to forests and rivers are the most likely places for unexpected encounters with wildlife. However, it is also not uncommon for wild animals to show up in urban areas. In these situations, the first important warning for this period is for drivers traveling on the roads to be especially vigilant, in order to prevent these animals from being hit by vehicles.

A second important point is to avoid interacting with wild animals, as they may attack if they feel threatened or cornered. "An animal's instinct is to defend itself, and during an encounter with a human, it may feel threatened. Intervening can lead to accidents and may jeopardize the animal’s survival. In addition, animals can transmit diseases to humans, and the reverse is also true," says Paulo. The best course of action is always to contact the Environmental Police (181) or the Military Fire Department (193). They will assess whether a rescue is needed and, if so, will call in the appropriate specialists.

The Klabin Environmental Park (PEK), in coordination with the authorities and in specific situations, conducts the rescue and subsequent release of wild animals. In 2025, approximately 400 animals were safely relocated from urban and rural areas near native vegetation, with most of these rescues occurring during the spring and summer months. Among the cases supported by PEK last year was the rescue of a maned wolf pup, a species listed as threatened with extinction on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The animal was found by farmers on a farm in the municipality of Ventania, in the state of Paraná.

"We identified it as a cub approximately one month old, still dependent on maternal care. The mother may have left to search for food and, because of some external factor, did not return to the den. Taking into account its survival needs, the cub was taken in at PEK, where it received proper nutrition and veterinary care to support its development," Paulo emphasizes.

The biologist, who has been working in wildlife management at PEK for over a decade, points out that young animals removed from the wild rarely succeed in returning to their natural habitat, as they have not learned essential survival behaviors—such as hunting, evading predators, and foraging for food—which are taught by their parents and are very difficult to fully replicate in captivity. As a result, many of these animals must stay under human care for the remainder of their lives.

See below for some tips on what to do if you encounter a wild animal:

In nature: Slowly back away and allow the animal to continue on its path. Do not attempt to interact with or approach the animal, as human intervention may disrupt its natural cycle, cause harm to the animal, or even result in accidents.

In rural areas: Stop operating machinery and keep a safe distance. Isolate the area, especially keeping domestic animals away, and immediately contact the Environmental Police (181) or the Fire Department (193). Wait for instructions from the authorities.

In urban or domestic environments: Isolate the area, keeping pets and children away. Avoid making noise, sudden movements, or using bright lights, and immediately contact the Environmental Police (181) or the Fire Department (193).

Injured animals: Immediately report them to the Environmental Police (181) or the Fire Department (193). If you need to place the animal in a safe location until it can be rescued, use gloves or a cloth to handle it. A box lined with paper can serve as a shelter. Remember that this measure should only be taken in extreme cases, and ideally, it should be carried out exclusively by trained professionals.

Young birds: It is common to see fledglings learning to fly. In this situation, do not touch the animal. Instead, isolate the area, step back, and watch to see if the parents are nearby. If the fledgling has fallen from a nest that is easy to see, it can be placed back using gloves and a towel. If the parents do not return, call the authorities.

Young mammals: many are left alone for extended periods while their parents search for food. Therefore, keep your distance and, if there is any risk, contact the authorities so they can assess the situation.

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