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Wildlife is not immune to the escalating violence in Mexico’s cartel-ruled regions. Recently, tigers, elephants, lions, and monkeys were evacuated from a wildlife sanctuary located in Culiacán, Sinaloa. This city has seen a surge in violent conflict driven by powerful cartel gunmen.
The animals were relocated to a secure facility following threats and gunfire that endangered both staff and residents. As civil order deteriorated, the situation in the Ostok Sanctuary, which houses over 700 animals, became untenable. Reports from the Associated Press indicate that staff had been under pressure from ongoing violence and intimidation by competing factions of the Sinaloa Cartel.
Many animals faced dire conditions during this crisis. Some went days without food, while others exhibited severe stress symptoms, including shedding fur. Tragically, two big cats did not survive.
“The level of violence we are witnessing is unprecedented,” stated Ernesto Zazueta, the sanctuary director, in an interview with the AP. This situation starkly illustrates the consequences when cartels exert control over a region while government authorities remain passive.
Culiacán has long been under the influence of the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the dominant drug trafficking organizations in the world. This intricate network of power began to unravel following a bold kidnapping incident involving the son of the notorious drug lord, El Chapo Guzmán. The son apprehended a rival cartel leader and subsequently surrendered him to U.S. authorities.
The instability has since led to violent territorial disputes among various factions. Sadly, civilians, including vulnerable children and families, often bear the brunt of these conflicts.
Security expert David Saucedo described the conditions as alarming. According to his analysis, the warring factions are heavily involved in extortion, kidnapping, and robbery to sustain their operations. Roads are frequently blocked, and the frequency of shootings has escalated; parents now assess daily news reports to gauge the safety of sending their children to school.
As darkness descends on Culiacán, the atmosphere shifts dramatically. Businesses close early, bars shutter, and the streets become eerily quiet. Law enforcement presence is sporadic, leaving residents to fend for themselves.
The animal refuge is located near Jesús María, a neighborhood dominated by the Chapitos, the faction led by El Chapo’s sons. This proximity to conflict zones has rendered operations at the sanctuary increasingly dangerous.
Reports from the UK’s Mirror reveal that exotic animals situated there are caught in the crossfire. Tigers, lions, and elephants exhibit clear signs of trauma due to the constant noise from gunfire and hovering helicopters.
Many of these animals were previously owned by cartel members. In one alarming incident, a tiger was discovered chained in a plaza amid a shootout, while unsettling rumors circulate regarding drug lords who allegedly feed their adversaries to pet lions.
Staff members faced horrific threats, including demands to pay ransom or face the destruction of the sanctuary and harm to the animals. One rescuer, Diego García, conveyed the haunting reality: “There is no safe place left in this city.”
After enduring months of pleas for assistance, the sanctuary received no support from government agencies. Neither the animals nor the staff received any protection from authorities.
The culmination of continuous threats and an urgent animal emergency prompted the difficult decision to evacuate the wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary’s beloved elephant, Bireki, suffered a foot injury. However, no veterinarians in Mexico or the United States were willing to enter cartel territory for treatment.
In a moment of reflection, Zazueta questioned, “What are we doing here?” This prompted an urgent evaluation of their situation as they pondered the well-being of the animals.
Following intense deliberation, the sanctuary team decided to evacuate all animals from the premises. The operation was executed quietly and urgently.
Trucks marked with white flags transported sedated tigers, lions, jaguars, and elephants. Workers provided comfort, whispering to the displaced animals to ease their anxiety. The convoy navigated through Culiacán, past vigilant cartel lookouts on motorbikes, as it made its way to Mazatlán.
After months of meticulous planning and training, the escape was successful. The animals have found temporary safety in Mazatlán, but sanctuary staff remain anxiously aware that cartel violence is pervasive. They understand it could potentially follow them to their new location.
Their hope is fragile yet resilient, as they pray for a safe haven. However, with the specter of cartel influence looming large, the situation remains precarious. A reminder of the ongoing struggle between wildlife conservation efforts and the harsh realities of organized crime.
This report draws upon contributions from the Associated Press.
