Playa del Carmen Targets Wildlife Exploitation After Animalandia Closure

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MX — Municipal authorities will seek to reinforce actions against people and businesses dedicated to the exploitation of wildlife in the tourist area of Playa del Carmen, following the operation that resulted in the closure of the Animalandia Maya establishment, stated the eighth councilman and president of the City Council Commission for Environment and Animal Protection, Fernando Muñoz Calero.

The councilman acknowledged that one of the main problems arises with those who walk along Fifth Avenue offering photographs with exotic species, since not having a fixed point of operation makes it more difficult to act against them. He explained that in many cases these people are warned beforehand about the presence of inspectors or authorities participating in operations in the tourist area, which makes it difficult to locate them.

As background, it was noted that on May 1st, the State Attorney General's Office seized the Animalandia Maya establishment following a complaint filed by the Playa del Carmen City Council for alleged animal abuse. As a result of the investigation, five people remain in custody, including the owner, identified as Félix “N”.

The case generated widespread public attention after complaints circulated on social media about the conditions in which various specimens used for tourist activities were allegedly kept.

In addition, citizen complaints continue against people offering photographs with monkeys and other species on Fifth Avenue, as well as in the vicinity of the Tulum archaeological zone, where exotic birds are also used to attract tourists.

Muñoz Calero asserted that Playa del Carmen became one of the first municipalities to take decisive action against this type of activity related to animal exploitation. The councilman maintained that there had been attempts to close Animalandia Maya for years and recalled that there had even been previous incidents of situations considered risky within the establishment, including the discovery of prohibited substances on one occasion.

He stated that the municipal government will continue to act in accordance with the law to protect animals and punish any conduct related to mistreatment or exploitation of wildlife.

Finally, he considered that the Animalandia Maya case damaged Playa del Carmen's international image, although he maintained that recent actions show that authorities are seeking to enforce the law and strengthen animal protection in the tourist destination.