Owl Sale in Havana Sparks Outrage Among Internet Users

A social media post showcasing an owl captured and offered for sale in Havana has ignited outrage and disapproval among online users and animal rights advocates. The incident occurred on Tuesday when a user named Marlon Enmanuel Fernández shared a video on the Facebook group “Alamar el barrio.” The clip reveals the bird confined in a metal bucket, covered with a wooden plank.

The video was captioned only with the letters “PV,” a common abbreviation in Cuban social media circles meaning “private,” often used by those engaged in informal online sales. In the comments section, the poster confirmed an asking price of 20,000 Cuban pesos for the owl, although he later reduced it to 15,000 pesos.

Public Backlash Over Animal Mistreatment

The post sparked a wave of criticism from users who condemned not only the capture of the bird from its natural habitat but also the conditions in which it was kept. To many, this act represents blatant animal cruelty and is yet another example of the illegal wildlife trade in Cuba.

Online Argument Escalates

Among the numerous reactions, a heated debate emerged in the comments section. The controversy grew when a user named Yonan Lara Llanes commented with a single word: “Price.” His apparent interest in acquiring the owl triggered immediate backlash from other group members. “Price for what? You all need to stop. Animals must be protected, for goodness' sake,” responded a user identified as Lety Lety, expressing her anger with sad and angry emojis.

Instead of retracting, Lara replied dismissively, “What’s it to you, as if you work at the zoo? Mind your own business.” The user responded firmly, “So young and so bold. Animals must be protected, period. You’re in the wrong.” Another user, Oirasor Ba, joined the discussion, condemning both the sale and potential purchase of the bird: “He probably wants to buy it to resell it at a higher price. Poor little creature, who knows whose hands it will end up in. I hope both the seller and the buyer are caught and penalized for such injustice.”

Historical Context of Wildlife Trade

The post continued to draw condemnation and disapproval among users, many of whom voiced their disdain for what they see as an act of abuse against wildlife. Ishel Permuy Torres commented with clear frustration, “Stop the abuse already! Free that poor owl, or whatever it is,” accompanied by angry and sad emojis.

Some comments were even harsher. Amanda Céspedes wrote: “Look at you, you coward, let that little animal go; it’s not its fault you’re such a jerk. You’re an abuser. Forget it, all the bad things you do come back to you.”

One of the most incendiary comments came from a user named Ángel Ramón Kindelán, who wrote: “How much are you selling them for? Do you have more? I need them for saint sacrifices.” His remark, referencing religious practices involving animals, was seen by many as an endorsement of the trafficking and mistreatment of protected species, heightening concern among online users.

This is neither the first occurrence nor an isolated case. In 2022, inspectors from Cuba's Ministry of Science, Technology, and the Environment (CITMA) rescued an owl that was being sold illegally online for between 4,000 and 5,000 pesos. “The Office of Environmental Regulation and Security (ORSA), the Forest Rangers Corps, and the National Revolutionary Police, with the cooperation of the Havana Zoo, are acting against a citizen selling an owl on social media,” explained Jorge Álvarez, then-general director of ORSA.

Animal Welfare Legislation and Enforcement

In 2020, animal rights activist Beatriz Batista denounced the sale of an owl on the Revolico platform, highlighting that such acts stem primarily from the absence of a legal framework to prevent and penalize them. “I received information that in the Facebook group Revolico_compra y venta Habana, the user Anisleysis Sanchez Celada is selling this tied owl in the photo for religious purposes (witchcraft) for 50 dollars,” Batista explained. “By now, it would be reasonable to have an Animal Welfare Law in place to protect it (the owl in this case), but for illogical excuses, it was postponed to February 2021,” she noted.

In 2024, an animal protection organization questioned the actions of Cuban institutions responsible for nature protection, expressing their outrage over the promotion of red squirrel sales in Havana. In a Facebook post, Elizabeth Marela Cardoso Pérez harshly criticized the sellers, claiming they profit from the suffering of animals without any knowledge about their handling and care.

Although the Cuban regime enacted the Animal Welfare Decree Law in 2021, citizens' ongoing reports underscore its limited practical effect. Specifically, Article 58, subsection h) states that it is an offense to “commercialize, transport, possess, capture, reproduce, and any other animal management action conducted in violation of current regulations.”

Moreover, Article 83 establishes that controlling wild animal populations can only be done for justified health reasons, such as excessive growth of a species, invasive species presence, pests, and diseases. However, the sacrifice of these invasive species requires authorization from competent authorities and must be carried out swiftly and compassionately.

The 2021 Animal Welfare Decree in Cuba outlines strict regulations on the trade of live animals, including invasive species. Those engaging in animal sales must possess the appropriate licenses and authorizations according to existing legislation. Violators can face fines of up to 1,000 pesos, imposed by competent authorities.

One of the most criticized aspects by activists is the lack of severity regarding crimes affecting animals, including invasive species.