The Special Prosecutor’s Office for Environmental Protection (Profepa) took seven crocodiles into their custody from the Mulsay Manuel Berzunza Carrillo Zoo in Mérida, Yucatán, due to lack of dignified treatment.
The department said that these measures were taken after receiving reports from citizens. Because of the reports, staff inspected the site.
There they revised the conditions of 78 different native species confined in the zoo, among them they found peacocks, ducks, cardinals, parrots, macaws, deer, spider monkeys, lions, jaguars, Bengal tigers, Japanese turtles and crocodiles.
The federal inspectors found excessive algae growth in the crocodile tanks and one specimen that was isolated from the rest with a tumor on its front left limb.
The conditions of the crocodiles proved that the zoo is not in compliance with the Biosecurity Protocol and seven specimen were taken.
Profepa said that the species (Crocodylus moreletii) is listed in the NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010 under species subject to special protection.
The department added that anyone who does not obey the General Native Life Law by treating native fauna with respect and dignity can be fined for 20,000 to 50,000 times the daily minimum wage of Mexico City.