Río

Rio was rescued when he was only a few weeks old by the park rangers of Madidi National Park. A family of hunters had killed his mother and kept the margay kitten.

Rio arrived with many health problems due to the lack of breast milk, the poor conditions in which they kept their captors and having ingested pieces of synthetic leather and plastic. He was vomiting and defecating pieces of synthetic leather for several days, which caused serious lesions in his stomach and intestine. He began to recover, but within a few days his condition worsened. All the lesions that his intestines had suffered resulted in a serious infection. He also presented with severe anemia, and a blood transfusion was needed.

He was kept in intensive care for many days, until he started to show signs of recovery. But the struggle didn’t end there. Due to the fact that he didn’t receive his mother’s milk during his first months of life, his calcium levels, along with other essential elements, were low. As a result, his bones were very fragile and, as a 4.5 month old infant, he broke a leg just from walking. He had to be operated upon immediately in order to walk again, but he will limp forever.

Río is now recovering from all of his injuries, but he will need supplements and medication for the rest of his life. You can help brighten his future by sponsoring him and contributing towards his veterinary expenses and food. Additionally, you would be helping us provide an appropriate enclosure for the needs of this lively margay.