Merida, Yucatán — Personnel of the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) and elements of the National Guard stopped the shipment of three wooden boxes with six flamingos at the Mérida International Airport.
Five of the birds were found alive, but with signs of dehydration and cut wings. Profepa seized the two boxes that contained the six birds that were to be transferred to the Parque Zoologico del Centenario in Merida, however, it is not known whether they are part of the flamingos stolen from Chetumal zoo the week before.
Three flamingos were reported stolen from the Zoo Payo Obispo in Chetumal. On social media, the general director of the park, Roger Braga González said “Dear friends and visitors, unfortunately today we were the object of theft of three specimens of Pink Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) belonging to this park. We are currently preparing the respective complaint before the competent authorities.”
Roger Braga requested the support of the community to try to locate the flamingos. “If you know of any person who is offering, selling or having these birds in their possession, please notify 911, Profepa, the State Attorney’s Office, the Attorney General’s Office and / or the National Guard,” he said.
The park says the three missing birds are all adults and are very sensitive, requiring special treatment.
