A heartwarming reunion took place in Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul, as the veterinary team responsible for the dramatic rescue of a horse named Caramelo during the devastating 2024 floods met the animal again. The visit, two years after the operation, was filled with emotion as they saw the horse, once stranded on a rooftop, now recovered and thriving.
The team, led by veterinarian Leonardo Castro from Sorocaba, São Paulo, along with colleagues Fábio Tuti and civil firefighter João Marques, traveled to Canoas for the occasion. For Leonardo, the moment was profoundly moving, contrasting the animal's current well-being with the dire conditions during the rescue. He described seeing Caramelo now healthy, heavier, with a shiny coat, and living a life of luxury as a justification for all their efforts.
Caramelo currently resides on the campus of the Lutheran University of Brazil (Ulbra) in Canoas, where he is cared for by his handler, Roque. The horse has become a symbol of resilience, receiving visits from students and the public. Leonardo noted that Caramelo's recovery offers a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy, providing a reason for joy even as many lives were lost.
The original rescue occurred in May 2024, when images of Caramelo stranded on the roof of a house in the Mathias Velho neighborhood captivated national and international attention. After being isolated for four days, the 350-kilogram animal was saved by a task force of rescuers, veterinarians, and assistants. The operation took approximately 30 minutes, involving sedation and transport via a boat to a safe location for veterinary care.
Leonardo Castro was part of a specialized five-person team for large animal technical rescues, all from Sorocaba. Besides Caramelo, the team also assisted in saving two other horses found trapped in the stairwell of a building. The veterinarian recalled the challenges, including difficult access to the flooded neighborhood and previous unsuccessful rescue attempts by other teams.
Based on reporting from g1.