Cancun, Q.R. — Municipal inspectors seized several exotic reptiles being sold at a Cancun street market. Cages and tanks were removed from a vendor who was found selling them at an open market Sunday.
A municipal operation resulting from citizen complaints led to the seizure of the animals Sunday morning at a market in SM 100.
Personnel from the General Directorate of Ecology arrived with police and the Municipal Institute for the Protection and Welfare of Animals.
During the inspection, authorities found a vendor selling a crocodile, a bearded dragon and a chameleon. The reptiles, which are a protected in Mexico, were seized and placed under protection of federal authorities.
Other animals including two cages of rodents were also seized during the operation.
Cancun City Hall said the seized species have been turned over to the (Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection.
“Following citizen complaints, the Cancun City Council conducted an operation in SM 100 where the illegal sale of wild and exotic animals was detected.
“The animals were secured and turned over to PROFEPA (Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection) for their protection.
“This action was made possible through the coordinated efforts of the Ecology Department, the Street Vending Department, the Public Safety Department, and the Cancún Directorate of Animal Protection and Welfare.
“We reaffirm our commitment to biodiversity and animal welfare, and we encourage the public to report illegal activities,” City Hall said in a statement.
