A social media post showing an owl that was captured and offered for sale in Havana has sparked outrage and condemnation among internet users and animal advocates.
The incident occurred this Tuesday, when a user identified as Marlon Enmanuel Fernández shared a reel in the “Alamar el barrio” Facebook group, where the bird can be seen confined inside a metal bucket, covered with a wooden board.
The video was accompanied solely by the initials "PV," a common abbreviation among Cubans on social media that stands for "privado," typically used by those conducting informal online sales.
In the comments, the author confirmed that he was asking for 20,000 Cuban pesos for the owl, although he later lowered the price to 15,000 pesos.
The post triggered a wave of criticism from users who denounced not only the capture of the bird in its natural habitat but also the conditions in which it was being kept.
For many, this event is a clear act of animal cruelty and another example of the illegal wildlife trade in Cuba.
Among the various reactions to the post, a heated discussion erupted in the comments of the group.
The controversy escalated when a user identified as Yonan Lara Llanes commented on the post with a single word: "Price." His apparent interest in acquiring the owl prompted an immediate backlash from other group members.
“Price of what? You all need to stop. Animals need protection, for God's sake,” replied an outraged user identified as Lety Lety, accompanying her message with sad and angry emojis.
Instead of retracting, Lara responded with disdain: "What does that matter to you, as if you worked at the zoo? Mind your own business." The user replied firmly: "So small and so cheeky. Animals are to be protected, period. I see you’re really off."
Another user, Oirasor Ba, joined the discussion, condemning both the offer and a potential purchase of the bird: “Surely they want to buy it to resell it at a higher price. Poor little animal, God knows what kind of hands it will fall into. I hope both the seller and the buyer are caught and penalized for such injustice.”
The post continued to generate rejection and condemnation among users, many of whom expressed their outrage at what they consider an act of abuse against wildlife. Ishel Permuy Torres commented with evident frustration: “Stop the abuse already, for goodness' sake! Release that poor owl or some sort of owl, I’m not sure,” accompanied by angry and sad emoticons.
Some comments were even harsher. Amanda Céspedes wrote: “Look at you, big gay dog, let that little animal go, it’s not its fault that you’re a jerk. You’re a bully. Forget about it, because everything bad you do will come back to you,” in a message filled with public outrage and a direct tone.
But one of the comments that sparked the most outrage was from a user identified as Ángel Ramón Kindelán, who wrote: “How much are you selling them for? Do you have more? I need them for saint sacrifices.”
His message, which refers to religious practices involving animals, was interpreted by many as a validation of the trafficking and mistreatment of protected species, further heightening alarm among internet users.
However, this is neither the first time it has happened nor is it an isolated case. In 2022, inspectors from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA) in Cuba
"The Office of Environmental Regulation and Security (ORSA), the Forest Rangers, and the PNR, in cooperation with the Havana Zoo, are taking action against a citizen who was selling owls on social media," explained Jorge Álvarez, who was at that time the general director of ORSA, on Facebook.
In 2020, the animal rights activist, Beatriz Batista, reported on social media about the sale of an owl on the Revolico platform and emphasized that acts like this were fundamentally due to the lack of a legal tool to prevent and penalize them.
"I've received information that in the Facebook group: Revolico_compra y venta Habana, the user 'Anisleysis Sanchez Celada' is selling this tied owl shown in the photo for religious purposes (witchcraft) for 50 dollars," Batista explained.
"At this point, it would have been logical to have an Animal Welfare Law in our country, Cuba, that protected it (the owl in this case), but for illogical reasons, it was postponed until February 2021," he emphasized.
In 2024, an animal protector questioned the actions of Cuban institutions responsible for nature conservation, expressing their outrage at the promotion of the sale of red squirrels in Havana.
In a post on Facebook, Elizabeth Marela Cardoso Pérez harshly criticized sellers who, according to her, profit from the suffering of animals without any knowledge about their management and care.
Although the Cuban regime , the ongoing complaints from citizens highlight its limited effectiveness in practice.
Specifically, Article 58, section h) states that it is an offense to "market, transport, possess, capture, breed, and any other actions involving the management of animals that are carried out in violation of current regulations."
Furthermore, Article 83 states that the control of wildlife populations can be carried out for justified health reasons, such as the excessive growth of individuals of a species, the presence of invasive species or pests, and diseases.
However, the sacrifice of these invasive species requires authorization from the relevant authorities and must be carried out quickly and compassionately.
The 2021 Animal Welfare Decree-Law in Cuba establishes strict regulations regarding the trading of live animals, including invasive species. According to this law, individuals engaged in the commercial sale of animals must possess the necessary licenses and authorizations in accordance with current legislation.
People who commit these violations may face fines of up to 1,000 pesos, which would be imposed by the competent authorities.
One of the most criticized aspects by activists is the lack of severity regarding crimes that affect animals, including invasive species.
Frequently asked questions about wildlife trafficking and animal abuse in Cuba
Why has the sale of an owl in Havana generated so much outrage?
The sale of an owl in Havana has sparked outrage because it is deemed an act of animal cruelty and illegal wildlife trafficking, practices that are condemned by animal rights advocates and many internet users. Furthermore, the conditions in which the bird was kept, inside a metal bucket, intensified the criticism of this action.
What does Cuban legislation say about the trafficking and mistreatment of animals?
Cuban legislation, specifically the Animal Welfare Decree Law of 2021, prohibits the commercialization, transportation, capture, and any handling of animals that does not comply with current regulations. This decree aims to protect animals, but its effectiveness has been questioned by activists due to the lack of enforcement and adequate response from the authorities.
How does the trafficking of species affect biodiversity in Cuba?
Wildlife trafficking negatively impacts biodiversity in Cuba, as many of these species are captured in their natural habitat, which can lead to ecological imbalance and the decline of certain species populations. Moreover, these illegally profitable practices contribute to environmental degradation and the loss of native fauna.
What actions can be taken to combat illegal animal trafficking in Cuba?
To combat the illegal trafficking of animals in Cuba, it is essential to rigorously enforce existing laws and increase penalties for offenders. In addition, awareness campaigns could be implemented to highlight the importance of protecting wildlife and to encourage collaboration between environmental organizations and the government to create effective conservation strategies.
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