The "Elpidio Valdés" mini-zoo in Songo La Maya, Santiago de Cuba, was submerged under water this Sunday afternoon due to heavy rains in the area. This incident highlights the severe neglect and lack of maintenance plaguing the facility. Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada was among the first to report the news on his Facebook profile, sharing photos of the flooded site.
Despite being labeled a mini-zoo, one internet user pointed out that it houses nothing more than a "lonely crocodile." Another person lamented, "It's a sad reality; it was better when it was called the Frog Park." One local reminisced that years ago, it was merely a lagoon that would flood his backyard, suggesting that "the drains must be clogged" now that it has been turned into a park.
Struggling Zoos Reflect Cuba's Economic Crisis
Zoos across Cuba are enduring difficult times, mirroring the country's economic collapse that leaves little to sustain these recreational spots for the public. Several months ago, reports emerged about the Ruperto Anfiloquio Suárez Castellanos Zoo in El Guamá, Baracoa, which has lost many of its most appealing animals and lacks food for the remaining birds.
Ángel Rolando Tavera Sourt, the park's director, told Radio Baracoa that the zoo has lost much of its charm due to the absence of popular animals like the hippopotamus Eric, the giraffe, ostriches, and zebras.
Dire Conditions for Animals in Cuban Zoos
Another critical situation is unfolding at the Bartolomé Masó Zoological Park in Manzanillo, Granma Province, where animals are showing severe signs of malnutrition and weakness. An investigative piece by the independent newspaper 14ymedio unveiled the dire conditions facing lions, iguanas, monkeys, and other animals. They are suffering from a shortage of essential foods due to Cuba's deep economic crisis, which severely affects both human and animal nutrition.