La Reina Zoo in Tizimín Closed for Animal Mistreatment

Tizimín, Yucatán — The Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) has imposed a total temporary closure on the La Reina Zoo and Botanical Park in Tizimín after detecting serious irregularities in the management of its specimens. The measure follows citizen complaints published on social media and an inspection carried out from October 13 to 15.

During the inspection, Profepa confirmed that 302 specimens of national and exotic wildlife were being kept in conditions that do not guarantee dignified and respectful treatment. Among the irregularities detected were:

• Inappropriate diets compared to the authorized Management Plan.
• Absence of veterinary medical records.
• A quarantine area lacking biosecurity measures.
• Enclosures with overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, poor ventilation, and insufficient light.
• Mixing of healthy specimens with sick ones and the forced cohabitation of birds of different species, generating competition and aggression.

Due to these irregularities, 95 specimens were secured as a precautionary measure, including: collared peccaries, white-tailed deer, a margay, spider monkeys, an African lioness, white-fronted parrots, dirty-chested parakeets, a toucan, boas, and gray foxes.

The temporary deposit for the animals will be at the same zoo, under supervision. Profepa announced that it will return to the site to impose corrective measures and establish deadlines for improving the conditions of the specimens. The closure prohibits the facility from opening to the public, although the establishment must continue providing adequate food and care to the animals.

"We take the issue of monitoring captive specimens to ensure they have welfare conditions and dignified and respectful treatment very seriously," stated Attorney Mariana Boy, highlighting the responsibility of zoos to comply with authorized management plans.