São Paulo's nature reserves have been severely impacted by devastating wildfires, with many animals suffering burns and requiring urgent care.
The forest fires in São Paulo, Brazil, have ravaged vast areas of nature reserves. As official reports, more than 9,700 hectares have been destroyed as of Oct 9.
The fires have created a dire situation for the local wildlife, forcing many animals out of their natural habitats. Some of these animals have been transported to recovery centers for treatment.
At the São Bento Mountain Recovery Center, one of the 26 centers in the region, staff have been overwhelmed by the influx of injured animals.
According to a center representative, between Aug 24 and Oct 8, the center has received 31 animals affected by the fire, which is an unprecedented number in such a short period.
Upon arrival, the animals are often in weak health, suffering from severe burns, dehydration, and malnutrition. Specialists created personalized recovery plans to help the animals regain strength and weight.
The rehabilitation process is delicate, as each species has unique needs. Experts carefully select the release sites based on the animal's habits and the environment that best suits its survival.
As wildfires continue to pose a threat to the region, the São Paulo state government has urged citizens to contact local fire and environmental authorities if they encounter injured wildlife.
Wildfire in Sao Paulo's reserve causes massive burns of animals
Transitioning from the role of Djiboutian foreign minister to the African Union (AU) commission chairperson was challenging but meaningful, said Mahmoud Ali Youssouf in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Jan 9.
Youssouf was elected as AU Commission Chairperson in Feb 2025, emerging victorious in the leadership race against Kenyan former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and Madagascan former Foreign Minister Richard Randriamandrato.
He said he was honored to take the job, which gave him an opportunity to serve more people.
"So many work, many crises. And I mean it's a continental job. It's not something, you know, just restricted to a country. So, it's very tough. If I can serve more people, you know, from this position of our continent and throughout the world, and I think I will be very much, you know, honored to do it. And I think it's a very interesting position, very tough and challenging. I accept to, you know, shoulder it," said Youssouf.
Youssouf was born in Feb 1965. In 1990, he obtained a master's degree in management at the University of Laval before participating in an educational training program in public management, also in Canada.
Youssouf is fluent in five languages, namely French, English, Arabic, Afar and Somali, which means he speaks at least three official working languages of the AU for effective communication across diverse diplomatic settings.
AU Commission chief describes role as challenging yet meaningful
