Pioneering initiative in Paraná enables residents to participate in wildlife conservation and rehabilitation at the Klabin Ecological Park in Telêmaco Borba, integrating academic knowledge with hands-on field experience


Photo: Klabin

Telêmaco Borba, March 24, 2026 - A collaboration between Klabin Ecological Park and the Zoological Medicine Residency Program of the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) will enable residents to participate in the care of wildlife at the Park in Telêmaco Borba. Participants will be able to engage in the care and rehabilitation of these animals, including 10 endangered species, support the work of on-site veterinarians, and contribute to biodiversity conservation initiatives that the Ecological Park has championed for over 45 years.

Each year, two residents will have the opportunity to participate, one per semester. Resident Jacqueline Schrotke is the first to represent this collaborative effort between the institutions. "I am actively engaged in clinical care, wildlife rehabilitation, rescue missions, and animal releases, allowing me to gain practical experience working with wildlife in their natural settings.

This provides an experience that integrates animal health and environmental conservation. Additionally, it has broadened my training in management and administrative routines, equipping me with a more comprehensive skill set for the professional field," she said.

For Paulo Schmidlin, Klabin's biodiversity coordinator, the initiative ensures the technical and professional development of these participants. "The residency is an excellent opportunity for students to gain practical experience, allowing theoretical knowledge to be applied to real-world contexts. In addition, the residents will be able to work with a specific fauna from the Campos Gerais region, allowing for important specialization focused on the conservation of local biodiversity,” he added. Schmidlin is responsible for the Klabin Ecological Park.

For Rogério Ribas Lange, professor who is a Zoological Medicine tutor in the Professional Health Residency Program of the UFPR Veterinary Hospital/Curitiba Campus, the greatest advantage of this partnership is allowing residents to interact with a wide variety of species. "Given the broad scope of this specialty, it is essential that the practical training environments in the Zoological Medicine residency encompass this diversity of animals, ensuring that program graduates are fully equipped to work across various sectors of the field," he stated.

After completing the graduate program, students will receive the title of Specialist in Zoological Medicine. “This qualification will enable them to work in any wildlife facility in Brazil, thereby expanding the pool of skilled professionals in the field,” explained Schmidlin.

INITIATIVES BEYOND THE RESIDENCY

According to Klabin’s biodiversity coordinator, the partnership established between UFPR and the Park also facilitates the exchange of knowledge, techniques, professionals, and equipment, thereby advancing scientific development. The work carried out by the Park will contribute to ongoing research at UFPR, fostering collaboration between the private sector and the University, with outcomes that benefit science and society," emphasized Schmidlin.

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