Only Zoo in Puerto Rico Will Close After Years of Animal Welfare Complaints

The only zoo remaining in Puerto Rico will close following years of complaints about the welfare of the animals at the establishment.

The Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo in Mayaguez is a 45-acre zoo that is home to around 300 animals. The zoo has been closed due to a series of hurricanes in 2017 but officials have now confirmed that the zoo will never reopen. The zoo had its exhibitors license canceled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2018 after they found numerous violations.

“Animal welfare comes first,” Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi said during the announcement. “Questions have been raised for a long time.”

The zoo had a long history of allegations of misconduct and abuse toward the animals, and the closure announcement comes just days after the U.S. Department of Justice said it would send veterinarians to inspect and evaluate the zoo.

According to AP, concerns were raised about the number of animals at the zoo, including “two pumas that died, an underweight chimpanzee, and a rhinoceros named Felipe that was limping,” and others. It was also determined that the animals at the zoo had not been vaccinated or given regular physicals.

Pat Craig, the director of Colorado’s Wild Animal Sanctuary who inspected the zoo told AP that the sanctuary would be able to take at least 50 percent of the zoo’s animals and Puerto Rico’s Department of Natural Resources was cooperating with the transfer.

Unfortunately, there are countless more zoos in the world where animal cruelty is commonplace and goes unreported. Animal cruelty is a global issue and should be the concern of every person on this planet. If you witness animal cruelty and neglect anywhere – zoos, pet shops, even your neighbor’s yard – please remember to speak up for those without a voice and report it to the appropriate authorities. Animal cruelty continues to go on both publicly and behind closed doors, and it is up to concerned citizens to help put a stop to it all.

Read and learn more about why zoos are not happy places for animals:

• What Keeping Polar Bears in Zoos and Aquariums Does to These Animals Will Shock You
• Zookeeper Attacked by Tiger is Further Proof that Wild Animals Don’t Belong in Captivity
• Zoochosis and the Many Ways We Have Failed Zoo Animals
• Zoochosis: What Really Happens to Animals in Captivity (VIDEO)
• The Truth About the Lives of Animals in Captivity Versus the Wild
•  How Zoos are Distorting Our View of the Natural World
• These Were the 10 Worst U.S. Zoos for Elephants in 2017 – Let’s Change This In 2018! (VIDEO)
• 7 Lessons We Really Should Be Learning From Zoos
• Think Zoos Are Fun Places? You Need to Watch This Video
• Stunning Photos Showcase the Suffering of Animals in Zoos, Aquariums, and More

Not Your Tee By Tiny Rescue: Animal Collection

Related Content:

• Animal Advocates Seek Justice for Giant Panda LeLe Who Died in Memphis Zoo
• Senior Dog Gets Zoomies For the First Time Since Friend Died
• Petition: Tell the USDA to Investigate Oregon Zoo’s Treatment of Elephants
• Outrage After Footage Shows Tourists Stuffing Seagulls and Beating Peacocks in China Zoo
• Zoo Director Had Four Animals Killed and Served at Christmas Party, Mexico Police Say

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