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In Rio do Sul, In The Interior Of Santa Catarina, A Retired Farmer Has Maintained For More Than 30 Years A Routine That Gathers Dozens Of Wild Birds At Dusk And Reveals How A Family Decision Changed His Relationship With Nature
As the late afternoon arrives, the scene repeats itself with precision. In Rio do Sul, in the Alto Vale do Itajaí, Mr. Paulo scatters corn by the edge of the woods. Soon after, the first jacus appear. Then, others come from all sides until the yard is filled with birds. Meanwhile, the retired farmer and his wife, Mrs. Inês, sit and watch, still amazed, at a routine that has not lost its charm even after more than three decades.
This information is part of a report shown on regional television in Santa Catarina, based on direct observation of the couple’s routine and the behavior of the birds throughout the year.
The Daily Scene That Begins At Dusk And Repeats Itself For Decades
Every day, always at the same time, the corn spread on the ground serves as a silent invitation. The jacus gradually approach. Some walk cautiously. Others arrive confidently. The noise increases as the number of birds grows. Even so, for Mr. Paulo and Mrs. Inês, the moment remains special.
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However, their current coexistence did not always exist. Mr. Paulo recalls that, at one earlier time, he hunted jacus and inhambus to feed his family when the practice was still allowed. At that time, the meat was shared in small portions among him, his wife, and their children.
The Day The Hunting Ended And The Decision Changed Everything
The change occurred after a remarkable episode, still in the 1990s. At home, his daughter asked to see the bird that had been killed. Upon realizing that the animal had passed away, the child cried. The reaction moved the farmer.
Soon after, Mr. Paulo ascended the mountain again. During the walk, he spotted a pair of inhambus approaching. At that moment, he reflected and decided to do nothing. He asked forgiveness for the other birds and made a personal promise: to never hunt birds again. Since then, he has kept this decision without exceptions.
From Abandoning Hunting To The Start Of Daily Care
From that choice, Mr. Paulo began to feed the jacus. In the beginning, only one couple appeared. Over the years, more began to show up, especially in the early winter when natural food in the woods becomes scarcer.
According to him, after the breeding season, the older pairs fly up into the trees and vocalize, calling other groups. Thus, year after year, the number of birds increased. Today, dozens appear daily at dusk.
Manually Planted Corn And Commitment Maintained Until September
To sustain the routine, Mr. Paulo plants the corn, harvests everything by hand, and shells the grains. Every two days, a bag of corn is consumed by the birds. The feeding begins in May and continues until September, when the food supply in the forest decreases.
When hunger strikes, the jacus come even closer to the house. The grandchildren even gave the birds nicknames, calling them “black chickens”. Although the noise does not always please everyone, the farmer assures that he will continue as long as he is alive.
A Simple Routine That Becomes A Silent Legacy
Mr. Paulo believes that when he can no longer feed the jacus, his family will miss them. For him, caring for the birds represents a way to give back to nature what was once taken away.
Stories like this, common in rural areas of Santa Catarina, reinforce discussions about coexistence between humans and wildlife, often addressed by state environmental agencies and local reports.
Given A Routine Maintained For More Than 30 Years, At What Point Does A Simple Choice Stop Being Just A Habit And Become A Legacy For Those Who Remain?
Vai acabar sendo multado por algum órgão ambiental.
Muito lindo! Fiquei emocionada pois amo todas as espécies e sou vegetariana desde criança. Que Deus abençoe sr Paulo com muita vida e saúde.
Toda vida é sagrada, a dos animais também. Por isso veganos não se alimentam dos cadáveres de animais. Que bom que o Sr. Paulo entendeu isso.
Sagrada por quem? Ahh vá.. devemos cuidar e respeitar sim, mas não tem nada dessa bobagem de sagrado. Gatos matam bilhões de aves, répteis e pequenos roedores ameaçados de extinção todos os dias.. mas não vejo uma alma viva criticando. É a natureza, nós também nos alimentamos de carne. Mas com cuidado e respeito, não precisa endeusar