The Unusual Relocation of Over 700 Animals
Elephants, Lions, Bengal Tigers: Even the most feared animals are not safe from the drug trafficking violence in Sinaloa, where, in a biblical-like episode, they were evacuated to protect them from criminality.
The recent relocation of approximately 700 animals from a sanctuary near Culiacán city is the latest consequence of the bloody conflict between two factions of the Sinaloa cartel, a situation that has disrupted life in this northwestern state since September.
Frightened, unable to even feed the sanctuary’s animals like crocodiles, zebras, exotic birds, the Ostok sanctuary’s caretakers saw no other option but to close and flee to another location.
“This animal caravan is a modern-day Noah’s Ark. But this time, the animals aren’t fleeing from a flood; they’re escaping insecurity, fear, and uncertainty,” said Ernesto Zazueta, the sanctuary’s director, just before starting the move.
Careful Transportation
Cautiously, Ostok’s workers first sedated the most dangerous animals—lions and tigers—to load them into cages for their 220-kilometer road trip to Mazatlán, a popular Pacific Sinaloan tourist destination.
A New Home
Their new home will be the El Encanto Biological Park, where Zazueta assures that animals will live in better conditions.
For the elephants, two large containers and an enormous crane were needed to mount them onto the trucks.
Before the move, Ostok’s directors and staff endured threats, extortion, vehicle and equipment theft, along with roadblocks and shootouts that have become part of daily life in Culiacán.
“The animals started to suffer health issues because we couldn’t deliver food. There were often roadblocks, roads closed, or our suppliers couldn’t reach us due to violence,” explained Zazueta.
Meeting the dietary needs of these large animals, requiring at least one ton of beef and chicken every three days along with 350 kilograms of alfalfa and forage, was a challenge under the threat of terror and gunfire, he added.
An Act of Resistance
Since the cartel conflict began in September, authorities have seized at least 14 felines in various raids. These animals were presumed to belong to criminals who often adopt them as pets, a lavish display of status and power.
These animals were initially taken to Ostok, though not moved to Mazatlán as they still have ongoing processes with the Federal Prosecutor for Environmental Protection (Profepa).
In early May, the Profepa seized 119 specimens from Culiacán’s zoo for lack of proper care or missing documentation. During the inspection, a male African lion suffering from cancer died.
For Zazueta, the move symbolizes a defiant act against the violence oppressing Culiacán and Sinaloa state.
“This act carries a painful message: if the animals can’t live in Culiacán, who can?” he added.
According to official figures, the cartel conflict has left over 1,200 dead and around 1,400 missing.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the situation causing this relocation? The violent conflict between two factions of the Sinaloa cartel has disrupted life in Sinaloa state since September, forcing the relocation of over 700 animals from a sanctuary near Culiacán.
- Who are the animals and where are they going? The animals include elephants, lions, tigers, zebras, and exotic birds. They are being moved to the El Encanto Biological Park in Mazatlán.
- Why were the animals moved? Due to the escalating violence and insecurity, the sanctuary’s caretakers could no longer ensure the animals’ safety and well-being.
- What challenges did the caretakers face during the move? They faced threats, extortion, vehicle and equipment theft, roadblocks, and shootouts, making it difficult to provide food and care for the animals.
- What does this relocation symbolize? For Zazueta, the sanctuary’s director, this act represents a defiant stance against the overwhelming violence in Culiacán and Sinaloa state.
