"Animals are dying of hunger": Cuban shows the state of a zoo in Matanzas and the networks explode

A video posted on TikTok has caused a stir on social media by showing the conditions in which the animals at a zoo in Cuba, located in Matanzas, are kept. In the images shared by user @sheyreyes03, the malnutrition of several specimens, the poor state of the facilities, and the absence of visitors in a venue that, according to the complaint, "should be dedicated to children" are evident.

"Animals in terrible conditions. Zoo of Cuba," says the text accompanying the video, which has already received over 86,000 reactions, more than five thousand shares, and thousands of comments. The content creator shares with indignation that the entrance fee is 10 Cuban pesos for adults and 5 for children, but what is found inside is far from a recreational space.

"The monkeys quickly ate the little bananas because they were so hungry."

During her visit, Sheyla describes the scenes that affected her the most: “As soon as we entered the zoo, the first thing we saw were these little animals that, as you can see, were painfully thin.” She explains that many areas of the park, like the small shops, were closed, and the only thing for sale was alcohol. “The zoo was empty, my friend; there wasn't a soul around. You can probably guess why. The only thing they were selling was beer. At a zoo meant for children, beer… but well, who can understand us?”

The young woman describes how the animals react upon seeing food: “Look at the monkeys, the poor things. We brought them some little bananas, and they ate them up so quickly because they are so hungry.” In another scene, she shows felines lying on the ground: “The cages here are in terrible condition. Look at these animals, too weak to stand up, because of what they’re being fed: that’s just bones. Don’t think they’re given any meat or anything like that. No, that’s just bones. And thank goodness they’re at least getting the bones, because one day I went, and a lion was eating a cabbage.”

She also laments the deterioration of the facilities: “What you see here used to be a small store where they sold fish tanks and fish. It was filled with water and had some beautiful little fish. That doesn’t exist anymore.” Comparing it to her memories, she adds: “I remember when I was a girl, my mother used to bring me here, and this pool was filled with a terrible number of flamingos. Now there’s almost nothing left.” She then reflects: “This zoo is quite large, but it’s all for nothing, sir, because there are no people. They don’t hold activities for children. No one is motivated to come here because the animals are, well, in terrible conditions.”

“That lion roars and faints”: a massive outrage

The video has sparked an avalanche of comments, most of them filled with pain, indignation, or sarcasm. Among the most frequently repeated messages are phrases like: “That lion roars and then faints,” “Animal abuse,” “If God exists, why did he abandon Cuba?” “Why don’t they let it go? Animals shouldn’t be kept like that,” “Can’t there be an association to save the little animals?” “Just imagine… if people in Cuba are living in miserable conditions, what does that leave for the animals,” “That's called socialism... we've had it in Venezuela for 25 years,” “The animals are like my people in Cuba, dying of hunger,” “Rescue the animals,” and “They shouldn't have a zoo.”

The comments not only question the situation of the animals but also address the political structure of the country, the inaction of the authorities, and the lack of response from protective institutions or associations. Many people expressed their pain after watching the video, stating that they couldn't finish it. Other users are directly asking what can be done, how to help, or to which organization they can report the issue.

Cuban Zoos: A Recurring Crisis

This is not an isolated case. In December 2024, social media reported the extreme malnutrition of an antelope at the Zoológico de 26 in Havana, a situation that also sparked intense criticism and raised questions about the effectiveness of the Animal Welfare Law on the island. The image of the antelope was accompanied by testimonies describing animals without water, exposed to the sun, with visible infections and lacking veterinary care.

Days earlier, another report highlighted the dilapidated state of the capital's zoo: rusty cages, dry ponds, damaged paths, accumulated garbage, and missing animals. As early as May of that year, there had been reports of the unusual sight of a monkey escaping from the enclosure, walking down Avenue 26 escorted by a stray dog.

Other provincial zoos have also faced complaints. In October, the "Elpidio Valdés" mini-zoo in Songo La Maya was completely flooded and left with no animals except for a crocodile, highlighting total neglect. In Baracoa, the Ruperto Anfiloquio Suárez Castellanos zoo has lost most of its specimens due to disease, malnutrition, and a lack of food for the birds.

The same zoo, new species... but without proper conditions

Ironically, Watkin Park had received a batch of exotic species in July 2024, including a puma, a jaguar, and a leopard, from the National Zoo. In that exchange, five lions were sent from Matanzas to Havana “to diversify the fauna” and “ease the food burden.” At that time, the park was put under quarantine for the adaptation of the new animals, and the incorporation of more species was announced as part of the summer recreational offerings.

However, the current images and reports show that the facility continues to lack the most basic necessities: food, hygiene, maintenance, and veterinary care.

A system without responsiveness

The situation of Cuban zoos has become a symbol of the structural crisis facing the country. The lack of resources, institutional indifference, and the collapse of basic services are starkly reflected in these facilities. The so-called "phantom law" for animal protection is constantly challenged by citizens, who insist that it is neither enforced nor monitored.

The virality of this video has not only highlighted a specific instance of animal abuse, but it has also reignited the debate about the very relevance of these spaces in a country where neither humans nor animals seem to have their most basic needs guaranteed.

Frequently asked questions about the crisis in Cuban zoos and animal abuse