In Rio de Janeiro, a city long associated with vibrant culture and rich biodiversity, wildlife is now becoming collateral damage in the city’s relentless cycle of violence. Reports reveal that dozens of animals have been struck by gunfire—victims of stray bullets and crossfire in urban neighborhoods where armed conflict is a daily reality.

One tragic story is that of Maria, a young capuchin monkey. She was struck by a bullet that shattered her spinal cord, leaving her paralyzed. Despite weeks of care at the Free Life Institute, a wildlife rescue organization, she did not survive. Maria’s story is just one of many that underline the hidden toll of human violence on innocent creatures.

Over the past decade, at least 69 animals—including hawks, capybaras, tortoises, parrots, and even a horse—have been documented as victims of shootings in Rio. Veterinarians believe the real number is likely far higher, as many cases go unreported or the animals are never found. The Free Life Institute, which has treated more than 15,000 animals, describes the situation bluntly: “Not even animals escape the extreme barbarity we’ve been living through.”

This crisis highlights how urban conflict extends beyond human communities, spilling over into ecosystems and threatening species that should be protected. In Rio, where dense forests and wildlife coexist with sprawling neighborhoods, the divide between nature and city life has grown dangerously thin.

The deaths of these animals are more than isolated tragedies—they are symptoms of a deeper ecological and social crisis. As violence spreads into the city’s green spaces, it erodes the fragile balance between people and nature. Protecting Rio’s wildlife will require not only conservation measures, but also addressing the root causes of violence that endanger both humans and animals alike.