Nearly 100 Animals Left Behind at Abandoned Zoo in Reynosa
REYNOSA – Authorities are figuring out what’s next after taking custody of dozens upon dozens of exotic species discovered at an abandoned zoo near Reynosa.
Officials say no one was at the Parque Recreativo y Ecológico Aventura Animal when they went to shut it down.
Among the species are an Arabian camel, macaw parrots, a black bear and at least 18 more types of species and around 100 animals in total.
The only people around were state police when they arrived to serve a search warrant after they say someone filed an anonymous complaint. The complaint alleged, “killing, mistreatment or cruelty to animals.”
Officials say they found the exhibits without proper food or water.
A baboon was found dead and a young tiger, unable to walk on his own.
Authorities say they didn’t just discover exotic species but also found bags of marijuana and cocaine.
They say the animals recovered at the zoo will be handed over to the Tamaulipas State Commission on Conservation and Financial Management of Wildlife Resources.
State officials say that body will be in charge of evaluating the animals, getting them veterinary care and finding where they will go next.
Officials in Reynosa say the zoo had a permit to operate but say did not permit exotic species.
They now say federal authorities will be in charge of any coming prosecutions.
According to a press release from Tamaulipas officials, the following animals were recovered:
Four tigers. One of them is a white tiger
Two pumas
Two lions. One of them is albino
One jaguar
Four eagles
Two spider monkeys
Two black bears. One is a bear cub
One python
Seven cows. One is a calf
Seven horses
13 rabbits
Five raccoons
Three llamas
Two American bison
Three ostriches
Twenty-six additional kinds of birds, including a peacock, helmeted guineafowl, pigeons/doves, and chickens
Four deer
Two husky dogs
Five macaws
Three baboons. One was found dead