Mexico shuts down wild animal sanctuary after animal cruelty

Around 200 lions, jaguars, tigers, and other exotic big cats from the Black Jaguar White Tiger sanctuary in Mexico. The animals in the sanctuary were sick and living in deplorable conditions.

Black Jaguar White Tiger sanctuary closed

At least 177 lions, jaguars, tigers, and other exotic big cats were living in deplorable conditions in Mexico City’s Black Jaguar White Tiger sanctuary.

The federal Attorney General’s Office for Environmental Protection said 202 animals, including monkeys, dogs, donkeys, and coyotes, were being taken to other locations.

Dozens of heavily armed city police raided the “Black Jaguar White Tiger” animal sanctuary Tuesday after images of rail-thin, distressed and injured lions circulated on social media.

One video revealed a large cat struggling to stand on its four paws. Omar Garcia Harfuch, Mexico city’s police chief stated the property was seized “for the crime of improper use of property and mistreatment of animals.”

“According to the inspection, the property where the animals were kept is zoned for agricultural or grazing purposes, not for keeping the kind of species found,” stated the City police.

The authorities are relocating the animals to various zoos in the region.

“Several of our facilities are already saturated with wild animals from various rescues, ranging from circuses to hundreds of seizures of illegal trafficking” of animals, Ernesto Zazueta, head of the zoo association, said in a statement.

“But we cannot allow these animals, many of which are endangered, to continue in these deplorable health conditions and malnourishment.”

More on the situation

“Yes, some (were malnourished), others have collapsed due to genetic problems because their kidneys no longer function. They have diabetes, things like that and we try our best,” stated Eduardo Serio, the founder of the reserve

He revealed to local media that he rescued animals from about 500 circus venues across the country. The resues were following outlawing the use of animals from circus shows in 2015.

“The time comes that sometimes we (can treat them), but we are not God, sometimes we make it through, and sometimes we don’t. When we can’t, we have no choice but to give him a dignified death,” added Serio.

“(The sanctuary) has always tried to find aid, but the politics of the day has not allowed us to secure enough resources. This is a civil association, and it’s funded by people (donations) to shelter animals,” Salvador Padilla, legal representative for Black Jaguar White Tiger, said.

“This is not a zoo – let me be clear on that. People didn’t come to visit animals but to assist. Many animals come after being seized and from other complicated situations, and they come already injured or somehow harmed,” he added.