By Paola Velasco
Have you ever wondered about the importance of wildlife? For both people and the environment. It is a critical natural resource, and contributes to the maintenance of the ecological health in the forest. This is especially true for endemic species whose geographical range is limited. Endemic animals and plants have greater vulnerability because their populations are rather small. However, they are often key figures in their ecosystems and become a measure of health in a region. For this reason, their protection against threats is essential.
In San Miguel de Allende there is a Civil Association that is doing a great job with wild endemic animals in danger of extinction. We talked with Pamela Cordero, founder and animal rehabilitator, about her DAZÜ project. “DAZÜ” is the name for opossum in the Otomí language, and the project focuses on the need to care for the endangered wildlife in the municipality. The association works with opossum, fox, skunk, squirrels, coyotes, endemic birds, birds of prey and sometimes with the eradication of harmful fauna. This refers to fauna that have displaced native fauna, such as rats, pigeons and English sparrows.
The specimens that are rescued includes mothers with babies, such as opossums. Opossums are marsupials where the baby needs to be carried in the mother’s pouch for a period of time after birth. They also rescue adult and geriatric animals. At this time, they are caring for about 50 animals.
The work focuses on four main actions:
1. Protection: This begins with education; informing the population about what species live with us in this area, what their behavior is, and how we can live in harmony with them. «Know and understand» is the phrase they like to use because only with understanding can we protect them. Sometimes protecting means simply letting them be.
2. Rescue: They work with orphaned specimens, or those that have been injured, or stuck in some place at risk like sewers, pipes, etc. When they get a report, they assess the situation and develop an action plan. They decide whether it is an emergency or something that can be addressed more leisurely. Subsequently, a medical assessment is made and the fate of the animal is decided.
3. Rehabilitation: This can last from two days to two months or more. The animals receive medical and species-specific attention, which means they are supported in a way appropriate for their natural behavior as a species.
4. Release: animals must first be diagnosed to see if they are domesticated or not, or if they have lost limbs or sight, or if they have some physical problem that prevents them from returned to the wild. If they cannot be released, they are taken to sanctuaries, the closest being in Querétaro and San Luis Potosí. If they are ready to return to nature, a release is done in batches, trying to release litters of seven to 13 individuals at the same time. Where they are released depends on the abilities, characteristics, and history of each animal.
At this time there are three rescue centers: Los Frailes, with biologist Viviana Labarthe; a second in Alcocer, with Pamela Cordero; and a third at Salida a Querétaro with Rodrigo Garibay. All of them work directly with Canine Control, the Department of Environment, Firefighters, and with the Citizen Brigades. Each depends on the situation, and whose help is needed to carry out the necessary work.
The dream for DAZÜ is to create a sanctuary for wild animals in San Miguel. This would include a natural space in the countryside, a “natural habitat” with huge cages. It would not be a zoo as such, but a safe place for animals that cannot return to the wild. At this time the resources come from private funding by those involved. There have also been fundraising events such as the TlacuaFest that took place in October 2021 and will be held again this year.
Volunteers of all kinds are appreciated, including photographers, notaries, carpenters, and any others who could help. If you want to be part of the brigade and take care of baby animals, you can learn through the training they offer. Of course, they also receive donations both in kind and in cash. Look for them on IG and FB as Dazü Brigada de Protección de Fauna Silvestre de SMA.
