UPDATE!
I was able to get in contact with a Vet (Dr. Sosa) that worked at this zoo until last January.
I had a chance to ask him about some of the USDA reports, and basically, what he said is that the mayor/city does not give them much money to do anything for this zoo. They pretty much do the bare minimum and what is necessary to comply with the bare minimum of standards under the Animal Welfare Act.
The cages are from 1986 and have not been updated since then. The only thing they have changed is the outside wiring of the enclosures.
Sadly, when an animal is confiscated (from someone who ilegally had it), it usually ends up at this zoo.
The vet called the zoo "obsolete" and is not against my petitioning to the mayor for change. He agrees that there can be so much improvement for these animals (especially for the alligator and the cayman). The zoo by his definition is obsolete because people do not visit as much as they used to so they are not generating any money for these animals either. He just wanted to assure me that (while he was there) they tried to do all that they can under the minimal resources they get from the city, which sometimes is so little that the biologist on staff buys things for the animals out of her own small salary.
The way these animals are being kept are very primordial conditions and only upkept to please the most minimal requirements set forth by the Animal Welfare Act.
So, today, I ask you ALL to please help these animals. Ask the mayor to DO SOMETHING!!! Please sign the petition and send him letters asking him to build these animals new enclosures OR SEND THEM OFF to places who can offer them the right conditions in which they can spend the rest of their lives...The animals that are confiscated on the island should not be send to such a deplorable place either...how is this any fair to any of these animals???
The mayor just spent 3million on a new Golf Course in the city...what about the animals? These are living beings and should be a priority!
....I just found out that the city printed my letter within their monthly newspaper which goes out to all the people of the city. However, they did not add a response...SO they do get your letters!!! Keep sending them in!! Demand answers and action!!!
If you can post/mail them to PR (for those in the US it costs the same as sending a regular letter to any other state).
Alcalde Ramon Luis Rivera, hijo
Municipio de Bayamón Casa Alcaldía Bayamón
Box 1588 Bayamón, Puerto Rico 00960
www.municipiodebayamon.com
As always, please keep your comments, suggestions, etc. coming!!
Thanks for your support!!
Julia
