Stranded horse “Caramelo” rescued after online frenzy

Rescue efforts are underway in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil’s southernmost state, after floods and landslides killed at least 100 people and displaced more than 200,000. In addition to local residents, rescue groups have also worked to rescue pets stranded on rooftops and in flooded homes. However, no animal rescue was more followed than the story of a horse stuck on a roof in the hard-hit town of Canoas.

The horse, named by social media users for its brown coat, made international headlines and its eventual rescue was closely watched online and broadcast live on cable TV news channels. The horse was removed from the roof on Thursday morning thanks to a team of firefighters who called in a Brazilian army helicopter.

The stranded horse caught the attention of digital influencer Felipe Neto, one of Brazil’s most famous social media personalities, and First Lady Rosângela “Janja” da Silva.

Mr Neto has been active on his social media channels during the floods in Rio Grande do Sul, donating millions of reais in supplies and hundreds of water purifiers.

Janja posted on social media that she had contacted southern army commander Hertz Pires do Nascimento to arrange for troops to arrive in Canoas to rescue the horse.

“Brazil loves you, Caramelo,” Felipe Neto tweeted after the rescue was completed.

There is no further information on the animal’s condition, although rescuers immediately began treating it after removing it from the roof. The horse was reportedly sedated to be transported to a rescue boat.

“Horse on the roof” became one of the most searched topics on Google in Brazil and the most popular topic on social network X (formerly known as Twitter).

Several shelters have accepted rescued animals from across the state, combining the efforts of veterinarians, volunteers and caregivers.

Through social media, people across Brazil have encouraged the shipment of veterinary medicine, food and safety items (such as cat and dog transport boxes, leashes and surgical collars).