Diagnóstico da herpetofauna recebida no Centro de Triagem e Reabilitação de Animais Silvestres - CETRAS Tangará, Pernambuco

Abstract

Urbanization is a global phenomenon that has intensified over the years, characterized by accelerated population growth, expansion of urban infrastructure, and transformation of the natural landscape. The problem is that urban occupation occurs in a disorganized manner, which results in the destruction of habitats that directly affect the survival of many animals. Among the most affected groups are herpetofauna species. In Pernambuco, the government and Fauna agencies are responsible for rescuing and sending these animals to the Centro de Triagem e Reabilitação de Animais Silvestres (CETRAS). Therefore, this work aimed to diagnose the Herpetofauna assisted by CETRAS in the Metropolitan Region of Recife and its implications for biodiversity conservation in Pernambuco. A total of 3,515 occurrence bulletins were analyzed, of which 27.25% were brought from CPRH, 25.40% from individuals, 22.09% from the Independent Environmental Policing Company - CIPOMA, and 8.47% from municipal environmental brigades; referring to the period from 2016 to 2020, with a record of 3,835 Herpetofauna specimens, where 45.11% were rescues (743 snakes, 462 testudines, 287 lizards, and 230 crocodilians), 43.34% were voluntary deliveries (1452 testudines, 85 lizards, and 113 snakes), and 7.17% were seizures (223 testudines, 26 lizards, and 20 snakes). In total, 28 taxa were identified, of which 58.77% were testudines, 23.18% were snakes, 11.29% were lizards, and 6.44% were crocodilians. The main assisted taxon was testudines, with 1522 individuals of Chelonoidis sp. (tortoise), followed by the snake Boa constrictor (boa constrictor) with 487, lizards with 383 of the species Iguana iguana (iguana), and 243 crocodilians of the species Caiman latirostris (broad-snouted caiman). They were classified according to the lists of IUCN, ICMBio, and the State Environmental Agency (Pernambuco List). According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) threat criteria, three testudines and one snake are considered vulnerable: Caretta caretta (loggerhead turtle), Lepidochelys olivacea (olive ridley turtle), Podocdemis unifilis (yellow-spotted river turtle), and Lachesis muta (bushmaster), respectively, where the first two are considered critically endangered in Pernambuco. Regarding destination, 18.2% were released in 21 locations, 10.74% were deaths, and 71.06% were unknown. As for seasonality, only crocodilians showed some significant correlation with rainfall, as rainfall forms temporary puddles and flooded areas, facilitating their movement in the urban environment. Testudines were the group with the highest number of deaths, accounting for 74.27% of cases (n = 305), possibly due to poor transport and sales conditions that cause stress and severe injuries to animals. The qualitative-quantitative evaluation of the entry, destination, and conservation status records of the Herpetofauna brought in this study is a tool for fauna agencies to improve the execution of their actions, address difficulties regarding infrastructure, technical staff, and monitoring of release areas. This highlights the need for investment in educational actions aimed at raising awareness of society for species conservation.