Ibama bans clandestine zoo and rescues 655 animals in São Carlos A clandestine zoo in São Carlos, in the west of Santa Catarina, was closed by the Brazilian Institute of the Environment (Ibama) and 655 animals, including birds and aquatic species, have been rescued since Tuesday (7). The establishment operated illegally, according to the environmental agency, and charged visitors without having the necessary authorization for the activity. Domestic, wild native and exotic species lived in a precarious situation, with fraudulent documentation and invoices. g1 sought out those responsible for the zoo, but received no response until the last update of this report. ?Click and follow the g1 SC channel on WhatsApp ? The place was only registered for amateur bird breeding, and operated outside the rules when exposing the animals to the public. Those responsible were fined more than R$1.2 million. The inspection, which had the support of the Santa Catarina Environmental Institute (IMA) and the Environmental Military Police, found that the animals were suffering from abuse, but the agencies did not detail the environmental conditions or the animals' health status. Images, however, show the place to be quite messy and with an apparent lack of hygiene (see photos below). In addition to the mistreatment, agents discovered that the owner of the place used falsified invoices and documents to try to regularize the ownership of the animals. Clandestine zoo is closed in SC with more than 650 animals in precarious conditions and a millionaire fine Ibama/Reproduction More than 200 animals have already been removed from the site The group of 655 animals includes domestic, wild and exotic species native to our fauna. Until the last update of the report, around 294 animals had already been removed from the site and sent for treatment. "The remaining animals are in the process of being rescued, as a larger translocation team is needed. There are larger aquatic species and birds, whose transport requires specific care", explained Ibama. The seized domestic animals were donated to rural properties in the region. The species were not disclosed. The wild animals went to the Wild Animal Triage Center, a space maintained by IMA where they are receiving adequate veterinary care. Visitation to the site is completely suspended. READ ALSO Dispute involving the transfer of an elephant from the old Beto Carrero World zoo has a new chapter; understand Elephant from closed zoo has transfer to SP suspended VIDEOS: most watched on g1 SC in the last 7 days