There are 10 lions and 2 jaguars that were in conditions of abandonment and animal abuse. “The cats have serious problems of dehydration, malnutrition, with multiple skin lesions,” said the general director of Africam Safari.
10 lions and 2 jaguars that were mistreated in a reserve in Mexico City were sent to the wildlife conservation park Africa Safariin the Mexican state of Puebla, in the center of the country, for its rehabilitation.
The dozen animals were part of a group of just over 200, including 177 felineswhich were located in the denounced reserve, from where they have been transferred to different zoos and conservation centers in the country.
Despite the difficulties and legal obstacles put in place by the environmental authorities, this weekend the rescue and transfer of big cats from the Black Jaguar-White Tiger Foundationwhose reserve in the Mexican capital was accused at the end of June by activists due to the abandonment and mistreatment suffered by the animals.
“Felines have serious problems of dehydration, malnutrition, with multiple skin lesions”revealed the general director of Africam Safari, Frank Carlos Camacho.
He pointed out that many of them no longer have the tip of the tailbecause they themselves or their companions have bitten it because of the hunger or anxiety they experienced.
He explained that the first step is to ensure that they are well fed, and with medical attention, this in order to subsequently rehabilitate them psychologically and integrate them into herds.
“This rescue has been very mediatic, but we have rescued from little birds that have fallen from the nest, to large elephants,” said Camacho.
In turn, he pointed out that the reserve learned of the crisis that the felines of the reserve in Mexico City were experiencing, “that they were in very bad conditions and we offered ourselves as a reception and care center for these animals because they are extremely sick, very malnourished and with serious health problems”.
The also vice president of the Latin American Association of Zoos and Aquariums recalled that in the reserve of the Mexican capital there are just over 200 animals, among which felines and spider monkeys stand out, which will seek to relocate in several zoos, however they are giving priority to the Puebla park “because it has all the priority specifications”.
He warned that on Tuesday they expect the arrival of more cats, and during the next weekend, although he does not know the number, because the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) decides if all the animals would be transferred to Africam Safari or to other spaces. who have requested to rescue some species.
Camacho revealed that the lions that arrived over the weekend will be reintegrated into a new section within the park and regarding the jaguars they might be integrated into conservation programs, since their genetics are analyzed to determine their value and to know exactly where they enter its entire population that is managed by various associations around the world.
It should be noted that the Mexican zoo works with leones Krugerso they have a stable and pure herd, because their conservation is sought in the face of the danger of extinction they present, for this reason the rescued lions might not enter the same space.
The Association of Zoos, Breeders and Aquariums of Mexico (Azcarm) reported that some 75 felines have already been or are in the process of being transferred to various zoological institutions and conservation centers in Mexico.
The animal abuse in this case was denounced by animal care activists and supported by Azcarm.