In Motul, a municipality in Yucatán, Mexico, a local resident stumbled upon an unexpected visitor in his yard: a messenger pigeon equipped with a Cuban identification ring. Remarkably, this bird seemed to have traveled over 2,000 kilometers to reach its destination. Intrigued by the guest, the Mexican host promptly offered it food and water. However, what truly piqued his curiosity was the discovery on the bird's legs, as reported by ImpactoVisión Noticias on their Facebook profile.
The pigeon wore two rings, one yellow and another black, alongside a tiny code inscribed on its left leg, which appeared to be accompanied by an identification microchip. The most astonishing detail was that one of the rings indicated the pigeon hailed from Cuba and bore the date of 2024, suggesting the bird was in the midst of a mission.
Despite his curiosity, the neighbor chose not to interfere with the pigeon’s journey, hoping it would continue on its path and deliver the message to its intended destination. The post did not divulge further details about the "hidden" message or if the bird managed to resume its journey or remained in the area.
Public Reactions and Speculations
Commenters expressed their thoughts on the situation, with many suggesting the pigeon was fleeing from the failed communist regime in Cuba. Esther María Rodríguez Rondón remarked, "It achieved what many Cubans yearn for: escape from misery, hunger, squalor, and disease." Yalí Delgado Cuesta added, "The poor thing, it emigrated too. In Mexico, they are free and fed."
Ilien Carrión Vázquez wished the pigeon well, saying, "Even animals are seeking improvement, blessings to her, how I wish I had wings." In a related incident in April, another pigeon from Cuba, showing signs of exhaustion and being underweight, was captured in Kendall, Miami-Dade County, Florida. Rubén Martínez documented the bird's capture and recovery in a series of videos in the Facebook group "La Paloma Emigrante."
Recent Highlights in Pigeon Racing
Recently, a pigeon named Otani gained attention during the Pigeon Championship in Camagüey for returning to its coop in record time, outperforming all other competitors. "You're incredible, man! It's an amazing creature!" exclaimed Reinier Veloz, an enthusiastic breeder from Camagüey, known for his dedication in training and tracking his pigeons as he gazed skyward. Veloz excitedly raced across his roof to welcome his winning pigeon, a moment that captured the interest of many.