Tlacuaches y basura cero en Ciudad Universitaria

A significant challenge to wildlife conservation at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) has been identified: tlacuaches, or common opossums (Didelphis virginiana), are being trapped and dying inside deep, smooth-walled waste containers while scavenging for food in Ciudad Universitaria. Despite efforts to promote zero-waste practices since 2013, this issue remains largely unknown to the university community. The study proposes practical solutions to rescue trapped tlacuaches, aiming to mitigate their mortality and contribute to the conservation of this understudied species. By addressing this overlooked problem, the research highlights the unintended consequences of urban waste management on local fauna in UNESCO-listed sites.

Hortelano Moncada, Y., Pérez-Lara, S., A. Cervantes, F., & Gil-Alarcón, G. (2023). Tlacuaches y basura cero en Ciudad Universitaria. Revista Digital Universitaria, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.22201/cuaieed.16076079e.2023.24.1.1