Social media outrage has been ignited once again over another instance of animal cruelty in a Cuban zoo.
This time, the spotlight is on a lion in Florida, a municipality in Camagüey, which has reportedly gone without food for eight days. Independent journalist José Luis Tan Estrada brought attention to the issue through a Facebook post.
The video shared by Tan Estrada shows an emaciated lion gnawing on bones in solitude within its cage.
"It has always been like this; that zoo has been in ruins for years. Poor animal," remarked a resident of Camagüey.
"The poor creatures don't even have the strength to roar anymore; it's days upon days without food. The state of that zoo is horrific—what remains is just a shadow of what it once was. It's heartbreaking to see these animals suffer daily. I remember what it used to be like when I was a child, and seeing it now is painful. Everything has deteriorated," lamented another social media user.
Recently, independent animal rights activists have urged the public to avoid visiting Cuban zoos. They have highlighted the lack of veterinary care and the widespread neglect and decay these facilities suffer, where animals are left to endure abandonment.
In December, an animal rights advocate took to social media to expose the dire conditions at the Zoo of Colón in Matanzas Province, describing it as a “cemetery in life.”
An official journalist visiting the Havana Zoo reported rusted cages, persistent dampness, overwhelming filth, and clearly distressed animals, all in an environment lacking veterinarians and proper feeding programs.
In Santiago de Cuba, a zoo employee's indifferent "they are there" response to complaints about sick and unfed animals highlights the institutional neglect prevalent across these facilities.
Understanding the Crisis of Animal Welfare in Cuban Zoos
What led to the current state of Cuban zoos?
Cuban zoos are suffering from years of neglect, lack of funding, and inadequate veterinary care, leading to poor living conditions for the animals.
How are animal rights activists responding to the situation?
Animal rights activists are urging the public to boycott Cuban zoos and are using social media to raise awareness about the animals' plight and demand better care.
What actions have been taken to address animal abuse in Cuban zoos?
Despite the growing awareness and criticism, there has been limited governmental intervention or significant actions taken to improve the conditions in Cuban zoos.