The Animal Welfare Group of Cuba (BAC), specifically its Havana chapter, has raised the alarm over the illegal sale of an injured turkey vulture. This bird, treated as if it were a common commodity, was offered for sale in a WhatsApp group.
According to BAC-Havana's Facebook page, animal protector Avril Gutiérrez discovered the post on April 30, 2025, at 4:10 PM. The listing appeared in the "Compra y Venta Güinera" group, where a user named Mirelsy was offering the bird, a wild species known as Cathartes aura, trapped in a cage and visibly mistreated.
BAC-Havana highlighted the sale's disregard for the bird's vulnerability, legal ramifications, and the fact that such species cannot thrive in captivity. "Without the freedom to fly and its natural diet, it will perish within hours," the group warned in their post.
The organization pointed out that under the Animal Welfare Act Decree-Law 31/2021 and its regulation (Decree 38/2021), subjecting an animal to mistreatment or depriving it of freedom is a severe infraction punishable by fines, confiscation, and suspension of animal ownership. Furthermore, Environmental Law 81/1997 explicitly prohibits the trafficking of wildlife in Cuba.
In response, BAC-Havana urged the public to report the incident to the National Revolutionary Police (PNR), send evidence via email, disseminate the alert on social media, and contact Animal Health to demand action. "We demand the immediate release of the bird and exemplary sanctions for those responsible," the organization's statement concluded.
They also reminded that animal defense in Cuba still largely relies on the independent actions of citizens and protectors due to an institutional system lacking effective and transparent mechanisms for genuine protection.
In a related incident in April, a social media post showing an owl captured and offered for sale in Havana sparked outrage among netizens and animal advocates. This occurred when a user named Marlon Enmanuel Fernández shared a reel in the Facebook group “Alamar el barrio,” depicting the bird confined in a metal bucket, covered with a wooden board.
Recently, the organization Animal Protection SOS – PASOS reported the death of an owl that was rescued after being illegally offered for sale on a social media page. The owl, allegedly captured for religious purposes, was purchased by activists for 5,000 Cuban pesos after negotiating down from an initial price of 10,000, the organization noted on Facebook.
Despite the Cuban government enacting the Animal Welfare Decree Law in 2021, ongoing citizen reports highlight its limited effectiveness. Specifically, Article 58, section h) states that it is an infraction to "commercialize, transport, possess, capture, reproduce, and perform any other animal handling actions in violation of current regulations."
Additionally, Article 83 stipulates that controlling wild animal populations can be justified for sanitary reasons, such as overpopulation, presence of invasive species or pests, and diseases. However, culling these invasive species requires authorization from competent authorities and must be conducted swiftly and humanely.
The 2021 Animal Welfare Decree-Law in Cuba enforces strict regulations on the commercialization of live animals, including invasive species. Individuals engaged in such activities must have the appropriate licenses and authorizations as per existing legislation. Those who breach these laws could face fines up to 1,000 pesos, imposed by the relevant authorities.
One of the most criticized aspects by activists is the lack of severity regarding crimes affecting animals, including invasive species.
Animal Protection and Legal Framework in Cuba
What actions did BAC-Havana take in response to the illegal bird sale?
BAC-Havana urged the public to report the incident to the authorities, send evidence via email, share the alert on social media, and contact Animal Health to demand action.
What are the legal consequences for mistreating animals in Cuba?
Under the Animal Welfare Decree-Law 31/2021, mistreating animals or depriving them of freedom is a severe infraction punishable by fines, confiscation, and suspension of animal ownership.
Why is the effectiveness of the Animal Welfare Decree-Law in question?
Despite its enactment, ongoing citizen reports indicate the law's limited effectiveness in practice, highlighting a lack of severe penalties for animal-related crimes.