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Authorities say agreement reached to transfer tiger reported in Cozumel apartment

Cozumel, Q.R. — Island authorities responded to 9-1-1 reports of a tiger that was seen in the window of a top floor Cozumel apartment. Reports were made Wednesday afternoon after the young feline was seen gazing out an open window.

The young tiger was seen gazing out the top floor of a Cozumel apartment Wednesday afternoon.

According to Judith Argüelles Caamal, the Deputy Director of Ecology, authorities confirmed the report, locating the animal inside a private apartment. Caamal said the person who owns the tiger was interviewed and provided ownership permits, however, a complaint is being made with Profepa (the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection).

Caamal explained that they are not permitted to enter a private home to remove the animal, which is why they have filed an official complaint with Profepa (Procuraduria Federal de Proteccion al Ambiente).

“We cannot enter a private property and remove any species. What corresponds to Ecology is to make the corresponding complaint to Profepa, whom we have already communicated with, and that is what we are going to follow up on.”

Caamal said that although a complaint has been filed to remove the tiger from the apartment, the owner has agreed to transfer it to a more suitable place. She said that the tiger will be removed from the apartment and transferred from the island to a suitable natural habitat.

She reported that the the owner came to an agreement with the local authorities who will verify the trip to Playa del Carmen and from there, the person must take it to the site indicated in the document (which was not detailed).

Authorities say agreement reached to transfer tiger reported in Cozumel apartment
Authorities arrived to remove the animal however, they left after an agreement was reached with the owner.

On Wednesday afternoon, Municipal police, firefighters, Civil Protection and Ecology arrived at the apartment to remove the animal, however, once the owner verified permits, the tiger was left and the agreement made to transfer it to a more suitable habitat.