Alligators living in the Taxas Canal in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, western Rio de Janeiro, are surrounded by illegally dumped garbage and have been seen biting plastic bags while searching for food. In April, researchers spotted more than 10 animals among bottles, containers and packaging, and in June they confirmed that the situation had not improved.Rio's Municipal Environment Department said its Environmental Patrol responds to cases involving wild animals at risk, while the municipal sanitation company Comlurb is responsible for removing waste from canal banks whenever the presence of alligators does not prevent the work.
According to Flavio Fernando Batista Moutinho, a professor at the Fluminense Federal University (UFF), improper waste disposal is changing the animals' feeding habits. "Because garbage collection is not perfect and many people leave trash in the wrong place or at the wrong time, the smell attracts the alligators, which end up feeding on garbage as well," he said.
In the first half of this year alone, authorities carried out 312 alligator rescues and captures across the state, 131% more than during the same period in 2025. Regional sanitation concessionaire Iguá said dredging work in the Barra and Jacarepaguá lagoons is underway and is expected to be completed by 2027.
