PROFEPA Inspectors Denied Access to Jaguar at Cancún’s Pepe Tigre

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Inspectors from Mexico’s Federal Environmental Protection Agency (Profepa) attempted to enter the “Pepe Tigre” facility at kilometer 6.5 of Cancún’s Hotel Zone to verify the health and living conditions of a jaguar, but the property owner refused them access.

The inspection was prompted by a wave of social media posts raising concern about the condition of the big cat. Specialized veterinarians were scheduled to take part in the visit and carry out an assessment of the animal.

However, the inspection could not go ahead because the owner of the property, José Juárez Gil, denied entry to both the inspectors and the medical staff.

Juárez Gil said the jaguar is in good condition and that there was therefore no reason for the requested review.

During the visit, the owner also urged the Profepa representatives to go to another property where, he claimed, more big cats are being kept and are allegedly not being fed.

According to Juárez Gil, that site is located at kilometer 14.5 of the Cancún-Airport federal highway, where a project known as the Cancún zoo operates.

Juárez Gil also said that personnel from the Quintana Roo State Strategic Projects Agency have barred him from entering that property, even though he maintains that he owns it.

The Profepa visit comes amid growing public scrutiny of the “Pepe Tigre” case following the social media posts about the jaguar’s condition.

The case has also prompted a citizen call for a peaceful demonstration on Sunday, September 27, in Cancún’s Hotel Zone, aimed at pressing authorities to review the situation of José “Pepe Tigre” and the animals linked to the case.