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Sanctuary Owner’s Journey to Save Puerto Rico’s Zoo Animals

In the coastal town of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, the Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo was once the pride of the island. However, years of decline, mismanagement, and neglect turned this symbol of wildlife Conservation into a heartbreaking scene of suffering and despair. Lions, once symbols of the zoo, now languished in concrete bunkers alongside hundreds of other animals, their lives hanging by a thread.

Source: 60 Minutes/YouTube

Enter Pat Craig, the founder of The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado, renowned for orchestrating high-stakes rescues worldwide. When Pat and his wife Monica arrived in Puerto Rico, they were met with a distressing sight: sick and sad-looking animals, with death haunting the zoo weekly.

Despite two dozen citations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for substandard conditions and mistreatment, the situation reached a breaking point after hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the island in 2018. The zoo closed its doors to the public, leaving over 300 animals in dire circumstances.

The intervention came in February 2023, when the U.S. Department of Justice dispatched a team to evacuate every species to permanent homes on the mainland. Pat Craig was chosen to lead this daunting mission, facing logistical challenges and uncooperative local staff.

With patience and determination, Craig and his team embarked on a five-month-long operation. From coaxing lions out of their cages to sedating uncooperative carnivores, every rescue required careful planning and execution. Despite facing resistance and even an unexpected elephant breakout, the team persevered.

The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources of Puerto Rico denied allegations of neglect, attributing the zoo’s problems to hurricane damage and limited resources. Nonetheless, the animals were airlifted to safety, with some finding refuge at Craig’s sanctuary in Colorado.

For Pat Craig, this rescue mission is more than just a job; it’s a lifelong commitment to providing a better life for animals in need. From his humble beginnings as a teenager with a dream, Craig’s sanctuary now spans 1,200 acres, housing over 700 animals with stories of abuse and neglect.

Each animal that finds sanctuary at Craig’s facility represents a second chance at life—a testament to his and his wife’s dedication to animal welfare. As he reflects on his journey, Craig’s vision for a world where animals are treated with compassion.