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challenges and regulatory advances in the release of confiscated wildlife in Brazil

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37002/biodiversidadebrasileira.v16i1.2832

Keywords:

Translocation , brazilian legislation , IUCN , wildlife release

Abstract

The reduction or disappearance of species is a global concern, and the seizure of animals represents only a part of the conflicts between humans and wildlife, making it necessary to ensure proper procedures for the release of these confiscated animals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the compliance with the guidelines of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in the process of translocating confiscated animals, as established by Brazilian legislation over time, based on the key stages of translocation (arrival, rehabilitation, monitoring, and release). A targeted documentary search was conducted using the IUCN reintroduction guidelines (1998, 2013, 2019) and Brazilian regulations (IN 179/2008, IN 23/2014, IN 05/2021) to analyze the evolution of versions and to identify gaps and areas for improvement. The main advances occurred in the arrival, release, and monitoring stages; however, the most significant gaps still persist in the release and monitoring stages. Financial and ecological challenges hinder the successful implementation of translocation projects, underscoring the need to strengthen Brazilian regulations based on scientific evidence. Given the scarcity of scientific and regulatory publications in Brazil, collaborative initiatives that promote the exchange of experiences, highlighting both failures and successes, are essential for improving dissemination and adherence to each stage, especially within Cetas.

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Author Biographies

Daniela Caixeta Oliveira , Universidade Federal de Uberlândia/UFU, Uberlândia/MG, Brasil

Bachelor in Biological Sciences from the Federal University of Uberlândia – UFU (2019). Holds a Master’s degree in Ecology, Conservation, and Biodiversity from UFU and is a volunteer intern with the TamanduASAS Project at the State Institute of Forests (IEF) in Uberlândia. Her research focuses on conservation, ecology, and animal behavior, with an emphasis on mammals. She was a PIBIC CNPq/UFU Scientific Initiation fellow (2017/2018), focusing on Road Ecology. She was also a member of MinasBio Environmental Consulting (2016–2018), the junior enterprise of the Biological Sciences course at UFU, where she served in the Project Management, Presidency, and Council. In 2018, she interned at the Uberlândia Municipal Zoo, working on Environmental Enrichment activities. Currently, she works as an Environmental Analyst at Raiz Consultoria Hídrica e Ambiental.

Laura Mathias Rodovalho Pereira , Floresta Cheia Instituto de Conservação Ambiental, Goiânia/GO, Brasil

Graduate in Biological Sciences (UFG) with a specialization in Data Science and Analysis (Esalq - USP), currently pursuing a degree in Economics (UFG). Her main interest is understanding how economic, environmental, and social indicators are related and interact with each other.

Alessandra Bertassoni , Instituto Nacional da Mata Atlântica/INMA, Santa Teresa/ES, Brasil

Biologist, Master in Ecology and Conservation (UFMS 2010), and Ph.D. in Animal Biology (UNESP 2018). Research fellow at the Image Processing and Geoprocessing Laboratory (LAPIG) within the Pasture Research Program led by Prof. Dr. Laerte G. Ferreira. Completed a postdoctoral fellowship (PNPD / CAPES) in the Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolution at the Federal University of Goiás (EcoEvol/UFG), working in the Theory, Metacommunity, and Landscape Ecology Laboratory under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Paulo De Marco Júnior (2019–2024). I coordinate the "Flags in the Corridor Project," an initiative among UFG, SEMAD-GO, and Aliança da Terra, as well as the "Babies Project" in partnership with the ICAS – Wild Animal Conservation Institute's "Flags and Highways Project." Since 2019, I have collaborated with the National Action Plan for the giant anteater, giant armadillo, and three-banded armadillo coordinated by ICMBio. Accredited as an adjunct professor in the Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolution at UFG (2022–present). I was a research fellow at Embrapa Pantanal (Wildlife Laboratory), a researcher at the Instituto Homem Pantaneiro, and a bilingual ecotourism guide at the Caiman Ecological Refuge (Pantanal). I have experience in both research and teaching. My interests include: biodiversity conservation and monitoring, ecology, and ethology.

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Published

2026-04-23

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2026): Fluxo Contínuo

Section

Fluxo Contínuo: Fiscalização e proteção da biodiversidade e patrimônio natural  

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Copyright (c) 2026 Daniela Caixeta Oliveira , Laura Mathias Rodovalho Pereira , Alessandra Bertassoni

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