Aiuká is the first Brazilian company with national and international experience in planning, rescuing, and rehabilitating fauna affected by oil spills so that it can return to its natural environment safely. Founded in 2010 in Praia Grande, south coast of São Paulo, it is formed by experienced and trained professionals, who have been working for more than 15 years in responding to emergencies involving wildlife.
The organization is one of 11 in the world - and the only representative from Latin America - that participates in the development of the global response system to oiled wildlife supported by the Oil Spill Response Joint Industry Project # 20 of the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) together to Sea Alarm.
Through cooperation agreements, Aiuká works worldwide in partnership with institutions such as the International Bird Rescue (United States), the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (South Africa), and the SeaAlarm Foundation (Belgium). In addition, in Brazil, has a wide network of collaborative institutions.
Our Operational Center in Praia Grande, COP Aiuká SP, and in Rio das Ostras, COP Aiuká RJ, are modern facilities, prepared for the rehabilitation of oiled wildlife in Brazil.
Offering services for the planning, management and responses to wildlife. Providing a qualified team with technical excellence and highly developed skills to apply best practices for both the welfare of individuals and for species conservation.
To consolidate and implement an enhanced professional response to wildlife, to further our rehabilitation and research efforts ensuring technical excellence, and to remain at the forefront in the development of procedures and techniques for species conservation.
OUR TEAM > DIRECTORS
Rodolfo Pinho da Silva-Filho
Rodolfo is a veterinary doctor and Master of Science by the Federal University of Pelotas. Since 1995, he is the coordinator of the Marine Animal Recovery Center of the Oceanographic Museum of Rio Grande, at the Federal University of Rio Grande (CRAM-FURG). Since 2000, he is a member of the International Wild Animal Rescue Team in Contingencies of the International Fund for Animal Protection (Emergency Relief Team, International Fund for Animal Welfare - IFAW) and of the Water Bird Rescue Team for Petroleum Spills of the International Bird Rescue. He participated in the South Elephant Seal Project, on the Elephant island (South Shetlands), during the Antarctica Operation of 1998/1999.
He has been working since 1995 in the rescue and rehabilitation of marine animals affected by petroleum spills in several disasters occurred all over the world, among which stand out: orphan spot, Dyer Island, Cape Town – South Africa (August, 1995); Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro - Brazil (January - March, 2000); M/V Treasure, Cape Town – South Africa (June - July, 2000); M/V Jessica, Galápagos - Equator (January, 2001); M/V Prestige, Galicia – Spain (November – December, 2002); orphan spot, Estonia, Tallinn - Estonia (February, 2006), Caleta Córdova Incident, Province of Chubut, Patagonia - Argentina (January-February, 2008), Baltic Champion, Rio Grande - Brazil (October, 2010).
He has attended the main national and international events regarding the capture and handling of marine animals, with emphasis on oiled wildlife. Among these, it should be highlighted: Animal Handling in Natural Disasters, Petroleum Spills ad Conservation Programs (Derrames de Petróleo y Programas de Conservación) (México, 2003); Oiled Wildlife Capture Workshop (United States, 2007); 9th International Effects of Oil on Wildlife Conference (United States, 2007), and 1st International Seminar on Wildlife Protection in case of Oil Spill (Brazil, 2013). He has experience I the area of rescue and rehabilitation of marine wildlife, handling and medicine of water animals, simulations and trainings involving marine oiled wildlife rehabilitation. Senior Bird Banders by CEMAVE-ICMBio.
Link for the curriculum lattes: http://lattes.cnpq.br/7673292751143993
Valeria Ruoppolo
Valeria is a veterinary doctor graduated by Universidade Paulista, Master and Doctor by the Department of Pathology of the Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics at the University of São Paulo (FMVZ-USP).
Since 2000, she is a member of the International Wild Animal Rescue Team in Contingencies of the International Fund for Animal Protection and its Habitats (Emergency Relief Team, International Fund for Animal Welfare - IFAW) and Water Bird Rescue Team for Petroleum Spills of marine animals affected by petroleum spills in several disasters occurred all over the world, among which stand out: Guanabara Bay Rio de Janeiro - Brazil (January – March, 2000); M/V Treasure, Cape Town – South Africa (June - August, 2000); M/V Jessica, Galápagos - Equator (January, 2001); M/V Prestige, Galícia - Spain (November – December, 2002); M/V Rocknes, Bergen - Norway (January - February, 2004); PEMEX, Coatzacoalcos - Mexico (January, 2005); M/V Vogelneft, Kerch Strait - Russia (November, 2007); mass stranding of juvenile Magellanic penguins in the Brazilian Northeast (September - October 2008); LR Mimosa, Bahía de Quintero – Chile (September, 2014).
She has experience in the area of water animal medicine, animal pathology, marine wildlife rehabilitation, preparation of contingency plans for wildlife, simulations and trainings involving marine oiled wildlife. Senior Bird Banders accredited by CEMAVE-ICMBio.
Link for the curriculum lattes: http://lattes.cnpq.br/9649551733489946
