A beautiful refuge for wolves and sea lions, located 2 kilometers from the coast of Rio Grande do Sul, in the city of Torres. It is possible to dazzle the beauty of the animals by taking a boat ride near the island.
The Island is an ecological reserve where, in addition to lions and sea lions, birds use it as a resting place on their migratory routes.
With volcanic formation, Ilha dos Lobos, had its origin from the same lavas that formed the Morros das Furnas, Guarita, Torres Sul and Morro do Farol.
Read too:
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- Rural Tourism in Torres RS
- What to do in Torres – RS – Beaches and sights
- What to do in Torres in winter
island of wolves
This island is the only maritime island in Rio Grande do Sul full of lions and sea lions. It is 2 kilometers from the coast. The population of wolves and sea lions is around 70 animals.
Facts about Lobos Island
There are records of lions and sea lions dating back to 1797.
The largest number of animals that frequent the island are the sea lions (in a minority the wolves).
A cargo ship called Avaí, in the year 1960, collided with the island. Sinking on the spot and the wreckage of the ship was on the island for about 25 years.
According to island monitoring data, the maximum number of animals on the island:
- sea lions – 156 (Nema data, 2014);
- sea lions – 136 (ICMBio data, 2019).
The Island is a tour route for the Right Whales, annually from July to October the Whale dance makes the sea an attraction for everyone.
During the winter, it is common to find lions, sea lions and even pinquins, resting on the beach, catching the sun. It is recommended not to approach them and respect the isolation area, if you are not isolated, call Patran and they will provide isolation.
REVIS Ilha dos Lobos
There is an animal monitoring program, carried out by a REVIS technical team.
The objective is to identify the animals that appear on the beach and monitor their breeding colonies.
In addition, the team takes questions from the population.
Distance from Lobos Island
It is authorized to arrive within a maximum distance of 500 meters from the island.
Below is a map presented by ICMBio, with the appropriate demarcations:
prohibitions
Fishing and landing on the island is prohibited, in addition the surf.
Bird flu in Torres
On October 9, 2023, a sea lion was found stranded on Praia dos Molhes, the case was attended to by the team from ICMBio and the Veterinary Inspectorate, who, after investigation and analysis, found that the animal had avian influenza (H5N1) .
The guidance from environmental agencies, as well as from the municipality of Torres, is that if anyone finds a wild animal, marine or terrestrial, alive or dead on the shore, they should urgently inform the local environmental agencies, who will be in line with the necessary measures.
Another very important guideline is Don't take your pets for a walk in the sand (seaside), as they can become infected with the virus, leading to death.
Remembering:
If you find animals that appear to be injured or sick, DO NOT approach or attempt to lift or help them. Communicate the Official Veterinary Service (Whatsapp 51 – 98445 2033) or PATRAM;
Ilha dos Lobos – the biggest wave in Brazil
It has the biggest wave ever surfed in Brazil until 2003, compared to Teahupoo and Pipeline.
Nicknamed TCHEHAUPO, Ilha dos Lobos has hollow and tubular waves that break on a stone bench.
A few years ago, the island was explored by surfers, who discovered the biggest wave in Brazil, during an epic swell.
However, as surfers began to appear from various places to surf around the island, the environmental agencies assessed that they were harming or would harm the habitat of the animals, and today it is forbidden to surf there.
To get to the island, surfers needed to go by Jet Ski.
But unfortunately the wave made it prohibited.
Surfer who disappeared on Lobos Island in Torres
For this story you did not expect!
One more reason why surfing is banned on the island.
In yet another epic surf (in 2003), and the last, friends got together to give that hilarious surf on the island. They were very knowledgeable surfers with 3 more jet skis.
The day was incredible, with perfect barrels and terrifying images of those giant waves. Era is every surfer's dream.
They surfed all day, and went home. However, a boy who had gone surfing without knowing these people was surfing close to the island, he got very tired of paddling, caught a current that took him to the island and could not get out of the sea.
The boy's parents knew that this group of surfers were meeting and that they had a jetski, at that time the city's fire department did not have one. And they went to ask for help, promptly the group of surfers went looking for the boy.
What nobody imagined is that they would be sleeping together with lions and sea lions. That's right!
As he was very cold (because it was winter) and tired, the tide was low, he managed to climb on a rock and stay there, waiting for the day to rise. But everyone's concern was huge, as he could die of cold, and no one had any idea of the real situation.
When it cleared, the surfers continued to look for him, until they managed to see the board and the boy on the island.
Testimonials from surfers who caught the wave at Ilha dos Lobos
”The only wave that can be compared with a foreign wave is Ilha dos Lobos. It's the best big wave in Brazil” (Pedro Scooby).
“It's the most perfect wave of all the slabs I've ever surfed. Not size, but it would fit perfectly. It is the most perfect slab that Brazil has” (Carlos Burle).
Firefighters hold competitions to the island of Lobos
In the summer there are some lifesaving competitions, to see who can swim the fastest to (close to the island) and back.
Boat trip around Ilha dos Lobos
Currently it is possible to take a boat trip that passes near the island.
The boat departs from the Mampituba River, on a tour lasting approximately 1 hour. It is the safest and most authorized way to get close to the island.
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