Brazilian biologists work to save Rio's largest caiman species<br /><br />Equipped with headlamps, a group of biologists in Rio de Janeiro ventured into the lagoons of the Jacarepagua neighborhood late at night to examine broad-snouted caimans, a species affected by habitat pollution and unregulated urban growth.<br /><br />The biologists, who captured and subsequently released the caimans, collected vital data to monitor the population's health and gauge the impact of lagoon pollution on these creatures.<br /><br />"We have low reproduction rates year after year," said Ricardo Freitas, president of the Jacare Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting Rio de Janeiro's biodiversity since 2009, with a particular focus on the broad-snouted caimans. In addition to educational programs and animal rescue missions, the Jacare Institute also provides consulting and environmental services.<br /><br />Marine biologist Mario Moscatelli pointed out that the encroachment of unregulated urban development near the caimans' habitat presents a significant threat. "The environment is the one who is always affected by the lack of public policies," Moscatelli said.<br /><br />REUTERS VIDEO<br /><br />Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe <br /> <br />Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net <br /> <br />Follow us: <br />Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook <br />Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram <br />Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter <br />DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion <br /> <br />Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital <br /> <br />Check out our Podcasts: <br />Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify <br />Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts <br />Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic <br />Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer <br />Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein<br /> <br />#TheManilaTimes<br />#tmtnews<br />#caimans<br />#brazil
