Screwworm Kills Two Opossums at Puerto Morelos Wildlife Sanctuary

Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo — At least two opossums have died from screwworm at a wildlife sanctuary in Puerto Morelos, prompting alarm among rescuers and wildlife specialists in Quintana Roo.

The Tlacuatitlan sanctuary, known as “Lugar de Tlacuaches,” confirmed the deaths. The first case occurred on April 27, when staff found larvae on a rescued female opossum and sent samples to the National Service for Health, Safety and Agri-Food Quality (Senasica) for analysis.

Five days later, a second opossum died. The sanctuary described the situation as an emergency and warned that the screwworm fly remains active, threatening more animals in its care.

In response, the sanctuary is seeking to build enclosures with special mosquito netting to protect vulnerable animals and has asked the public for donations of at least 20 rolls of netting material.

Rescuers noted that the problem now extends beyond livestock to include wildlife and domestic animals, calling the issue a national crisis that is overwhelming existing resources.