Popular on social media, the Instituto Onça-Pintada received, in June this year, significant fines from Ibama for the deaths of 72 wild animals and for the exposure of wild animals.
The institute’s videos are filled with animals such as jaguars, monkeys and birds. But the animals are not alone. There are often humans in contact, around and even holding wild animals in their laps.
Together, the three fines received by the institute in June amount to R$ 452,500. Before that, the entity had already been fined in 2020, in R$ 1,500, for mistreatment – using pepper spray – to one ounce.
THE Sheet tried to contact the institute by email and Instagram, but until the publication of this text there was no response.
In a video published on its social networks this Monday afternoon (22), the institute says that the fines will prove that there are no irregularities in the breeding site, which takes care of the animals and is supervised by the Goiás Environment Department.
One of the new assessments by IBAMA also points to mistreatment, but this time of 72 animals. The infraction concerns the non-guarantee of safety in the animals’ enclosures, which allowed attacks, beatings and consumption of poison.
Another infraction points to the death of 72 wild animals.
The institute also had its area embargoed to receive visitors and for the reception or reproduction of animals. The embargo, according to Ibama, is valid until the institute resolves the structural and procedural issues that led to deaths caused by other wild animals, snakebites and fights between the animals that live there.
“Anyone who knows us knows that this is extremely unfair and can imagine how outraged we are. We were fined by an IBAMA agent who never set foot in the institute”, says Leandro Silveira, president and co-founder of the institute, in the video.
“About the deaths, he gathered seven-year cases that are officially placed in reports that I make as technical responsible”, said, in the video, Anah Tereza de Almeida Jácomo, executive director and co-founder of the entity.
The last assessment issued by Ibama concerned the institute’s exposure to animals. According to Conama resolution 489/2018, conservationist breeding sites, such as the Instituto Onça-Pintada, are prohibited from exhibiting animals.
In the institute’s videos, Silveira, Jácomo and their son appear in direct contact with animals, with hugs and kisses.
