Related videos:
Just a few days before the end of the holiday period for Cuban children and youth, the National Zoo announced the reopening of the crocodile lake, after a comprehensive cleaning and restoration process that allowed for the reintroduction of the specimens into their habitat.
In a post on the Facebook page, the park's management emphasized that this effort aims to ensure the well-being of the animals and the quality of the space, but warned that public cooperation is essential to keep it in good condition.
In this regard, they warned about the harmful practice of throwing objects such as cans, stones, or sticks into the water to provoke the movement of crocodiles, an action that damages the ecosystem and threatens the health of the reptiles.
The natural behavior of crocodiles
Zoo specialists explained that these animals are ectothermic, meaning they regulate their body temperature through the environment. Staying still and with their mouths open is a natural behavior known as thermoregulation, which allows them to conserve energy or release heat on warm days. Throwing objects at them not only stresses them but can also cause injuries and dirty their surroundings.
A call for protection
Park authorities urged visitors not to throw any objects into the lake and to enjoy observing the crocodiles in their natural state. "Together, we can keep the National Zoo a clean and safe space for everyone," the institution stated, inviting the public to come closer to learn more about these fascinating animals and the other wildlife that the facility hosts.
The state of neglect of the 26 Zoo in Havana is concerning
Meanwhile, the historic 26 Zoo in Havana is going through one of its darkest moments. Its facilities are in severe deterioration, the ponds are dry, the cages are dirty, the animals are visibly malnourished, and the overwhelming stench.
A scene that starkly reflects not only the crisis of that institution but also the structural collapse of a country where there are no resources left for either humans or animals.
“ If there is nothing for the Cubans, what will there be for the animals? This is genocide,” denounced a worker from the zoo, whose statements were featured in a post on the La Tijera page on Facebook.
In the images shared by that platform, completely dry crocodile ponds and contaminated artificial lakes can be seen, while children and the elderly try to navigate the swamps, the heat, and the foul smell.
A visitor, the grandmother of a minor, expressed with resignation: "They should turn it into a MIPYME, since everything that works here is private anyway." Her statement encapsulates the feelings of many Cubans regarding the collapse of state services and the informal privatization of almost everything that still (somewhat) functions in the country.
As we have reported on several occasions in CiberCuba, the area is far from its prime. The facilities, which were once a source of pride for the city, now show signs of neglect that concern both visitors and the workers on site.
Filed under: