Ocelot run over on RJ-116 returns to nature after recovery An ocelot run over on RJ-116, in Cordeiro, in the Serrana region of Rio, returned to nature this Monday (6), after undergoing almost three months of treatment and rehabilitation. The animal was rescued on April 14 by SOS Vida Silvestre, in partnership with the concessionaire Rota 116. According to the organization, the feline was found on the side of the highway with serious head injuries caused by being run over. After the rescue, the ocelot received veterinary care from veterinarian Jeferson Pires and was taken to the Wild Animal Rehabilitation Center (CRAS) in Estácio, where it remained in recovery. ? Follow the g1 Região Serrana channel on WhatsApp. According to the technical team, examinations and evaluations proved that the animal recovered the physical and behavioral conditions necessary to return to its natural habitat. Before release, the ocelot received a chip that will allow monitoring of the animal's movement and adaptation in the wild. The release was carried out in a reserved forest area in the city of Cordeiro, an area chosen because it was close to the place of the accident and because it was connected to other fragments of the Atlantic Forest, facilitating the feline's reintegration into the natural environment. Ocelot in Lamb Disclosure According to the biologist and president of SOS Vida Silvestre, Francis Leandro, the speed of rescue was essential for the animal's survival. “The faster the response, by activating the service of the Rota 116 concessionaire and the SOS team, we can save lives, which is our greatest intention here on the highway.” Francis highlighted that the joint work between the NGO, the concessionaire and residents of the region has been going on for eight years and allows wild animals to receive specialized care within a short time after accidents. In addition to rescue and rehabilitation, SOS Vida Silvestre carries out continuous research and monitoring of fauna along RJ-116. The information collected helps to identify the points with the highest occurrence of pedestrian accidents and guides the implementation of measures to reduce new accidents, such as fences, signage and wildlife crossings. “The work aims to identify, quantify and indicate the best mitigation measures”, explained the biologist. The institution also promotes environmental education actions, such as educational blitzes and campaigns aimed at drivers and residents of the region, reinforcing the importance of conserving the Atlantic Forest. According to the Felinos da Serra Project, which helped rescue the animal, Cordeiro has the largest number of records of ocelots in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The species (Leopardus pardalis) is considered almost threatened and plays an essential role in balancing the ecosystem, controlling populations of rodents and other small animals. The action is part of the biodiversity conservation program developed by SOS Vida Silvestre in partnership with Route 116, which works to rescue, rehabilitate and monitor wild animals along the highway.