Authorities Rescue 15 Wild Animals Caged in Poor Conditions on Property in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — State prosecutors rescued 15 wild animals found in poor hygienic conditions and without adequate food or water on a 60-hectare property known as “Balam Há,” officials announced Tuesday.

The animals — including five jaguars, four black jaguars, two macaws, a puma, a howler monkey, a magpie, and a king vulture — were discovered in cages about 800 meters from where authorities were executing a court order to seize and return the property to its owner.

The operation involved the State Prosecutor’s Office, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (Profepa), and the Quintana Roo Environment Department.

Officials said the animals were confined in very small spaces with little hygiene and no access to food or clean water. They were placed under the custody of environmental authorities while prosecutors investigate who is responsible for keeping them in such conditions.