Capybaras are already known in Greater Florianopolis as attractions or pests. A complaint recently recorded more than 20 rodents appearing on the property of a house in Santo Amaro da Imperatriz.

More than 20 capybaras spotted in a field behind a house in Santo Amaro da Imperatriz – Photo: Neri Arthur/Personal archive/ND

The record was set by Arthur Eller, a native of Neri municipality, in July of this year, when spotted fever was on the rise.

It turns out, according to a local resident, the capybara is the main host of the star mite, which can transmit the disease-causing bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii and Rickettsia parkeri.

Eller also complains that these animals tend to eat crops and destroy farm produce, as well as compete with grass-eating cattle.

Another complaint concerns crops and plantations. — Photo: Neri Artur/Personal archive/ND.

“There is a large spread of capybaras, and with it comes some problems: public health risks; problems/losses of farmers; competition in the use of pastures; among other things,” he says.

Drivers line up to take pictures of capybaras

According to Daniel Brand of the Residents Association, the situation is really difficult. “This is a very large amount. I live in the first area, arriving in Santo Amaro. They are always near, on the shore.

Capybaras are the cause of residents’ complaints – Photo: Daniel Brand/Personal Files/ND

He says that on weekends, when the flow of people returning from Serra is already high, people even slow down their car to take pictures of animals on the river bank. This increases traffic even more.

Drivers line up to take pictures of rodents – Video: Daniel Brand/Personal Files/ND

In addition, it continues to complement information on the impact on agriculture and health. “Where there is a crop, they come and destroy it. Otherwise, they lived on garbage. He brings fleas, he brings diseases. For an area where there is an angel point nearby, it is difficult,” he says.

What does the City Hall of Santo Amaro da Imperatriz say?

ABOUT NA+ contacted the mayor’s office of Santo Amaro da Imperatriz, who was ready to investigate the case. “We sent a letter to the IMA asking for their support in carrying out the study,” he says.

“Between 2021 and 2022, we received several complaints from capybaras in Beira Rio, mostly from guardians who walked their pets, but most of the complaints come from the countryside, mainly from farmers concerned about crops and plantations.” , the mayor’s office says.

The number of rodents in Santo Amaro has increased – Photo: Pexels/Disclosure/ND

“We asked about the occurrence of outbreaks and complaints from residents who reported ignorance. The presence of capybaras in the municipality is quite common and this situation is due to the presence of the Cubatao River, the main habitat of this species,” he explains.

Regarding the disease, the city administration clarifies: “We have contacted the epidemiological surveillance sector regarding the incidence of spotted fever in the municipality, and so far no positive cases have been identified.”

“It is important to note that capybaras are wild, native animals that have lived in riverbeds for a long time, even those that are now found in urban settings. Thus, they are animals protected by the Federal Constitution (Article 225) and Federal Law 9605/1998 (Environmental Crime Law),” he concludes.

Can capybaras become “pests”?

In recent months, capybaras have been spotted with increasing frequency and in increasingly unusual locations in Greater Florianopolis.

Capybaras enjoy the day in Greater Florianopolis. Photo: Internet/Reproduction/ND

PMA (Military Ecological Police) lieutenant Renata Bowsfield says the appearance of capybaras transcends the time of year. However, the summer period is most favorable for reproduction.

Renata also gives advice to residents who see this type of rodent: “This is the situation with any animal in the state. If it is a simple collection, then the IMA, and in the case of environmental crime, hunting or abuse, the military police must be called.”

Andre Klein, professor and biologist at the IMA (Environmental Institute) at the Crisium, says capybara breeding is “a big problem at the national level with no solution in sight.”

A family of capybaras showed up unexpectedly at the Joinville facility – Photo: Internet/Reproduction

Klein says these rodents like to stay on open river banks, and population imbalances are often due to the transformation of forested areas into open areas.

“By turning these areas into habitable species, by drastically reducing the number of predators, which will only be big cats, in addition, of course, to the great reproductive capacity of the species,” he explains.

According to him, a possible move may even transfer the problem to another place.

“Because this is a systemic problem, the solutions are also systemic: more active conservation and restoration of coastal forests and, perhaps through public policy, habitat management,” he concludes.