"The Wildlife Attention and Assessment Centre (CAV) of the Regional Autonomous Corporation (CAR) of Cundinamarca receives animals that are victims of illegal trafficking, mistreatment and accidents. From apes to felines and reptiles, the facility serves as the first point of care for species rescued by the environmental authority. Footage filmed on Saturday in the Salto del Tequendama sector shows the diversity of species receiving attention from a specialised team responsible for assessing the animals to determine whether they can return to the wild. "We are a zoo, but it is a non-profit foundation dedicated to the protection of animals rescued from wildlife, animals that have been mistreated by humans that have been trafficked," explained Vivian Bernal, Member of Fundacion Zoologico Santa Cruz. Upon arriving at these types of centres, the animals are treated and can join conservation and environmental research programs. "Later, they arrive at foundations like ours to have a second chance at life," she added. The centre has a procedures area where complex clinical assessments, anaesthesia and specialised examinations are carried out. Veterinarians treat birds, injured opossums and caimans that are wounded or rescued in irregular conditions. "There are many reasons for admission, from seizures due to illegal trafficking to rescues for abnormal behaviour," explained veterinarian David Rodriguez. When physical or behavioural conditions prevent release, transfer to zoos or bioparks for conservation and environmental education purposes is recommended. "The idea is for people to become aware of the possession of wild animals," said veterinarian Sebastian Ballesteros. In Colombia, more than 40,000 wild animals were treated during 2025, of which 21,200 managed to return to their ecosystems, a figure that reflects both the scale of illegal trafficking and the efforts of rescue and rehabilitation. "