Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Environmental activists and tourists are calling for the immediate closure of Animalandia Maya, a commercial establishment on Fifth Avenue here, following widespread allegations of animal cruelty and illegal exotic animal breeding.
Social and environmental activist Lucía Hernández publicly denounced the facility on social media, accusing owner Félix Sandoval Jaime of mistreating animals for profit. Sandoval Jaime previously served as campaign coordinator for Morena party politician Laura Beristain Navarrete.
According to Hernández, Animalandia Maya operates under the foundation “Alas de Amor” at the Fifth Avenue location, but holds a breeding permit for a dilapidated house in an industrial zone. That permit authorizes reproduction of squirrel monkeys, tamarins, capuchin monkeys, ring-tailed lemurs, tigers, lions, jaguars, Indian pythons, and green iguanas.
Colombian tourist Mariana Cortes created a petition on Change.org after visiting in October, writing: “During my visit to Playa del Carmen, I observed a place called ‘Animalandia Maya’ where cubs of panthers, jaguars, lions and tigers are kept in captivity, away from their habitats and mothers. Workers charge tourists to take photos with these animals, causing them significant stress as they aren’t allowed to rest all day.”
Members of the organization Animal Héroes echoed these concerns, questioning: “What happens to all the cubs that pass through Animalandia once they grow up?” The group is demanding the permanent closure of the establishment.
In videos posted to social media, activists stated: “The cubs should be with their mother in their habitat. Wild animals are not things, they are not props, they are not decorative items, nor are they pets. Keeping them in Animalandia all the time, enduring people, hugs and photos, is abuse. What do they do with all the cubs that have passed through that place once they grow up? Where are they? They’ve been breeding big cats for years. It’s urgent to end this cruelty.”
Spanish tourist Rafael Alcudia expressed disbelief: “I can’t believe they still exploit wildlife in such a horrible and decadent way. I can’t believe people still don’t understand they shouldn’t consume this type of animal exploitation, nor that it’s allowed so impunently. It speaks very poorly of Mexicans.”
Criminal Record and Questionable Permits
Records from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina show Félix Sandoval-Jaime was convicted on September 7, 2006, for illegal reentry of a deported alien (case number 3:06CR396). He was represented by attorney Harold Cogdell.
Hernández identified Sandoval Jaime as “the same person who exploits animals in Playa del Carmen.” He holds a Semarnat permit for Alas de Amor authorizing use of species including monarch butterflies, swallowtails, giant owl butterflies, and various other butterflies.
In Culiacán, where demand for big cats and primates has grown alarmingly—particularly in environments linked to organized crime—Sandoval Jaime holds another permit for breeding and selling specimens in a residential house. The residential property is authorized to breed tigers, lions, jaguars, squirrel monkeys, tamarins, and capuchin monkeys.
The combination of high regional demand for exotic wildlife and a breeding permit in a private residence raises questions about the effective supervision by PROFEPA (Mexico’s environmental protection agency) and the final destination of traded specimens.
Sandoval progressed from selling photos with lion cubs to tourists in Playa del Carmen to obtaining two Semarnat permits.
Previous Closure and Continued Operations
During an operation in March 2023, authorities found large quantities of drugs at the establishment: 102 packages of marijuana, 1,352 of cocaine, 80 of LSD, 343 of crystal meth, 240 of ecstasy, five of crack cocaine, one of hashish, and 8,024 pesos in cash, along with a shotgun.
Although the premises were closed, authorities did not seize the animals. Within less than a month, Sandoval Jaime resumed offering “nature experiences” to tourists.
A group of foreigners living in Playa del Carmen is now petitioning for the permanent closure of Animalandia Maya. Sandoval Jaime maintains he has all necessary federal permits to keep these exotic specimens in captivity for profit.
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