Related videos:
The independent organization Bienestar Animal Cuba (BAC) denounced the severe deterioration of the Santiago de Cuba zoo and the institutional indifference towards the suffering of the animals, after receiving reports from anonymous collaborators documenting the abandonment and poor conditions of the facility.
In a lengthy post on their Facebook page, the organization explained that it decided to activate “phase 2” of its network of collaborators nationwide after the Cuban Zoo Company exhibited an evasive attitude towards repeated complaints regarding mistreatment and deficiencies in state facilities.
"Due to the position of the Cuban Zoo Company, we have activated phase 2 across the country so that many of our collaborators throughout Cuba can begin to address the situation of the zoos," the organization stated.
According to BAC, reports began to arrive from various provinces, and the first of this new phase came from the zoo in Santiago de Cuba, which is currently closed to the public, likely due to the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa, similar to what happened in 2012 when the facility was severely damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
“Today we denounce what happened at the Santiago de Cuba Zoo. It is closed to the public and access is denied. These are the actual conditions of the place,” wrote the organization.
One of the most shocking moments of the report was the response from a center worker when asked about the situation of the animals:
"There they are," he said, a phrase that BAC considers a reflection of institutional insensitivity and the lack of empathy towards the living beings under its care.
The organization also denounced the hostile treatment by the authorities towards those who expose these realities, asserting that many of its members are labeled as "mercenaries," "liars," or "slanderers."
However, it emphasizes that the complaints are not the result of an isolated group, but of citizens who are acting in response to state indifference.
"We are nothing more than catalysts, simple intermediaries between people and institutions, to give a voice to the animals and to those who can no longer bear state indifference," they stated.
BAC strongly criticized the position of the Zoo Company, which, according to its complaint, tries to appear as though it is engaging in dialogue and transparency on social media while ignoring the demands of associations and the public.
"If they really wanted to confront these issues, if they allowed a genuine outlet to express the helplessness, negligence, and indifference that lead to these situations, they would prevent everything from exploding on social media. But they aren't even capable of acting with the slightest institutional intelligence," the statement pointed out.
The collective recalled that Cuban zoos are facing progressive deterioration due to a lack of resources, state neglect, and administrative disorganization, which has put the lives of hundreds of animals across the country at risk.
In the case of Santiago de Cuba, the complaint comes just weeks after similar issues were reported in centers in Cienfuegos and Camagüey.
In its final message, BAC reaffirmed that it will continue to denounce every case of negligence and abuse, ensuring that its work will remain "on the side of those who have no voice and those who can no longer tolerate silence."
"The people are tired. And they are right. This will not stop. And every complaint they try to ignore will be another proof that the problem is not the one who points it out, but rather the one who perpetuates it," the statement concluded.
A few days ago, the BAC organization requested access to the country's zoos to verify the actual condition of the animals, denouncing that the Zoological Company maintains a policy of opacity while complaints accumulate on social media and independent outlets.
This statement was prompted by events such as the escape of a baboon from the Sancti Spíritus zoo, which required the evacuation of a children's area.
The incident raised concerns about safety conditions, animal welfare, and the lack of adequate protocols in these state-run facilities.
Filed under: