The capybaras became the official mascot of the city of Curitiba in 1996, during the Paraná Open Games. The sporting event had the participation of athletes from several cities in the state, and the choice as the official mascot aimed to promote the image of the city of Curitiba and value the local fauna. Since then, the capybara has become an icon of the city and a symbol of peaceful coexistence between nature and urbanity.
The choice of the animal as the official mascot was not by chance. The city is surrounded by several green areas, such as parks and woods, and is home to a wide variety of animal species. In addition, the capybara is an animal native to Brazil, and is very common in regions close to rivers and lakes. Her cute and friendly appearance wins over everyone who meets her, and she has quickly become a symbol of friendliness and hospitality.
Nowadays, it is a constant presence in the urban landscape of the city. It has also become one of the main highlights of the city in terms of tourism, attracting visitors from all over the world who want to get to know Curitiba’s cutest mascot up close.
The unique characteristics of capybaras that make them so adorable
They have a number of characteristics that make them irresistible and adorable. One of them is the fact that they are very sociable and peaceful animals, which usually live in groups and rarely show aggressive behavior. In addition, its appearance is quite peculiar, with a large and plump body, short legs and a rounded head with large eyes and small ears. All of this contributes to her being seen as a nice and fun creature.
Another striking feature is its adaptability to different environments. They can be found in both urban and rural areas, always close to rivers, lakes and other water sources. In addition, it is a very resistant animal with an excellent adaptability, which allows it to survive in different climatic and food conditions.
It is a very intelligent and curious animal, which tends to carefully observe what is happening around it. Your facial expression conveys a sense of calm and serenity, which makes many people feel comfortable in your presence. All of these characteristics combined make the capybara one of the most beloved and admired animal species by Brazilians, especially by people from Curitiba.
Peaceful coexistence
The peaceful coexistence between capybaras and people from Curitiba is a striking feature of the city of Curitiba. People from Curitiba are known to have a great appreciation for them, which contributes to making their coexistence even more harmonious. In several green areas of the city it is possible to see capybaras being fed and observed by residents and tourists. In addition, it is common to find signs and posters that warn of the importance of respecting the presence of these animals in the city and keeping a safe distance.
As they are very adaptable animals, they can live peacefully in urban areas, as long as their ecological needs are respected. This includes the presence of water and green areas for them to feed and rest. Peaceful coexistence is an example of how urbanization and the preservation of fauna can go hand in hand for cities that seek to balance urban life with nature.
Curiosities about the life of capybaras in Curitiba
One of the most surprising curiosities is that these animals are not native to the city, but to the Pantanal region. However, over time, they have been adapting to urban environments and today they are a constant presence in several green areas of the city.
Another curiosity about the life of these animals in Curitiba is that they are very social animals and usually live in groups. This behavior is often observed on the banks of the Barigui River, where groups of capybaras can be found resting on the grass or in the water. In addition, they are also quite tolerant of other animal species and often coexist harmoniously with ducks, herons and other aquatic animals.
The presence of capybaras in Curitiba is so strong that in 2001 the city began to be represented by the mascot on souvenirs, postcards and other objects that refer to the capital of Paraná. In addition, he became an important element in the formation of Curitiba’s cultural identity, being the theme of festivals, events and even songs composed in his honor.
Finally, it is worth noting that they are very independent animals and have a very strict daily routine. Generally, they feed in the morning and late afternoon, and spend the rest of the day resting or interacting with other members of the group. Even with the constant presence of humans in their natural habitat, they manage to maintain their routine and follow their natural instincts, which is an example of how it is possible to reconcile urban life and conservation that of the fauna in a city like Curitiba.
Tourist impact
The capybara has become a tourist attraction in Curitiba, attracting visitors from different parts of Brazil and the world. The presence of these animals in urban areas is a unique opportunity for tourists who want to observe the local fauna without having to travel to rural or forested areas. The city has several green areas where capybaras can be found, such as Parque Barigui, Parque Tingui and Parque São Lourenço.
In addition, their presence in Curitiba also encourages adventure tourism and ecotourism in the city, offering bike rides, hiking, canoeing and other outdoor sports that allow tourists to get closer to these animals in their natural habitat. The city also offers several accommodation and gastronomy options to serve visitors.
Challenges of preserving capybaras in urban areas
The city hall of Curitiba has been adopting several measures for the preservation of capybaras and other wild animals present in the city. One of the most relevant actions is the monitoring and population control in the city’s parks and green areas, through population management programs that seek to guarantee the balance between the population of these animals and the environment.
Another important measure is the creation of environmental awareness and education campaigns, both for the local population and for tourists visiting the city. These campaigns aim to inform about the characteristics and needs of capybaras, as well as about the rules for peaceful coexistence with these animals, thus avoiding interference that could harm the animals’ natural behavior.
The Curitiba City Hall has also been working to promote environmental restoration and conservation of natural habitats, as well as to implement structures that aim to ensure the safety of animals and visitors, such as signposts and protection fences in areas with high traffic. All these measures show the City Hall’s commitment to preserving the mascot and other wild animals present in the city.
Famous and adored by Internet users on social networks
Curitiba’s capybaras gained a lot of popularity on social media, becoming real celebrities in the city. There are several pages and profiles dedicated to publishing photos and information about these animals so dear to Curitiba residents and tourists.
Through social networks, it is possible to follow the routine of the animals in the city’s parks, in addition to checking out curiosities about their behavior and habits. Many of these publications end up going viral and attracting the attention of thousands of Internet users, who are enchanted by the friendliness of these little animals.
In fact, they are not just wild animals, but a true symbol of the city, which has won the hearts of Curitiba residents and Internet users around the world.
Awareness campaigns for the protection of capybaras in Curitiba
The City Hall and other organizations have promoted actions to raise awareness of the importance of preserving these animals and their natural habitats. Some of the awareness campaigns promoted in Curitiba include:
- Respect the capybara campaign: City Hall initiative to make visitors to the city’s parks and natural areas aware of the importance of respecting animals and their habitat. The campaign includes distributing educational material and signposting areas where capybaras circulate.
- Monitoring program: the City of Curitiba maintains a monitoring program for capybaras in urban areas, which includes the identification and monitoring of the animals, as well as birth control and sterilization measures to ensure a balanced population.
- Educational actions in schools: the city hall carries out educational activities in schools to make children aware of the importance of preserving capybaras and other wild animals in the city. Activities include lectures, workshops and visits to natural areas.
- Donation campaigns for animal protection NGOs: some non-profit organizations in Curitiba carry out donation campaigns to help in the care and protection of capybaras and other wild animals in the city.
In short, these campaigns are important to raise public awareness and ensure the preservation of capybaras. A mascot that has become an icon and one of the most beloved and admired animal species by Brazilians, especially by people from Curitiba.
