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Spanish Version

Official Status Update

November 2010

Text Box: On Tuesday September, 15th, 2009 officials from the Mexican Wildlife Department (PROFEPA) met with representatives for Gente Por La Defensa Animal (GEPDA), Last Chance For Animals (LCA) and The Wild Animal Sanctuary (TWAS) to discuss the current status of the rescue mission to save the animals in Cancun. PROFEPA stated they had received a significant amount of input from the public - both in Mexico and the United States - concerning their sudden cancelation of the rescue mission and wanted to explain their reasoning behind their withdrawal. Officials stated they were concerned the animals’ owner may try to get an injunction to stop the rescue, or begin other legal actions to repeal the revocation of his wildlife permits - or possibly request the court to give him time to improve the conditions of his facility. With this in mind, officials had decided to drastically alter the original rescue plan. They’re currently proposing to remove the animals and transport them to temporary holding facilities near Mexico City, where they would be kept until such time that all legal proceedings - if any are begun - have been concluded. They feel this new plan would avoid prematurely moving the animals to the United States. Representatives from GEPDA, LCA and TWAS expressed great concern over the revised plan, as the animals will have to be rescued regardless, and opting to transport the animals half way across Mexico in rental trucks would put the animals at great risk of injury, illness, trauma or distress. And holding them in temporary cages for many months, in multiple facilities around Mexico City, while court cases drag on would only compound their suffering. The representatives went on to add that the animals would be far better served if officials would go back to the original rescue plan. Doing so would allow the animals to be immediately rescued and transported to their final destination (The Wild Animal Sanctuary) without being subjected to arduous road trips (they would be flown by Jet Aircraft to Colorado), and would save the animals from spending months - or possibly years - in temporary cages that will not be any better than the ones they currently live in. The meeting ended with PROFEPA rejecting GEPDA, LCA & TWAS’s request to reinstate the original humane rescue plan, which was a great disappointment. PROFEPA’s disregard for the ultimate welfare of the animals was clearly visible, as their new plan was noticeably driven by their desire to minimally satisfy the public’s demand to help - while lessening the burden on their department.

Text Box: Synopsis of New Situation The Mexican government has backed out of planned rescue to TWAS The Mexican government claims they will send the tigers and other animals to Mexico City Zoos and related facilities The Mexican government is trying to get us to stop our campaign to do what is best for the animals During all this time, the animals remain in terrible conditions, and will suffer further if forced to travel to center of Mexico and be housed in surplus areas of zoos Solution Continue putting pressure on Mexican Government via (1) Direct contact by the public through letter writing campaign (2) Direct contact by the public through phone calls (3) Continued media coverage of their disregard for the true well-being of the animals (4) Continue educating others about the plight of these animals Instructions to Help (1) Continue writing letters to all contacts - state your concern about the new plan and its risk to the animals’ welfare (2) Continue making phone calls to officials and media outlets (3) Continue educating others about the plight of these animals

Spring 2010

September 18, 2009

Pepe has continued to fight the government in order to perpetuate this terrible situation. He was arrested and jailed earlier this year on charges he did not own his land… and since he had no money to post bail, his animals were left unattended. The Wild Animal Sanctuary, along with GEPDA, LCA and other concerned welfare agencies took action by sending money for food - as well as arranging for volunteers to go to Pepe’s restaurant to feed the animals.

Once Pepe was let out of jail, he continued to utilize the food that was provided, since he was still unable to care for his animals himself. However, the conditions at his facility have continued to degrade - as more animals have died since last year’s rescue was aborted. A recent visitor to his restaurant was given a tour by Pepe (for $50), and she saw the tiger that has a broken back. She said Pepe told her the tiger’s back was broken when a male tiger was trying to mate with her… and even though he knows the animal is suffering, he stated he has no money to get her help. We fear she may already be dead.

Most people find this situation hard to imagine, as it’s difficult to understand or fathom why the government has been dragging their feet for so long. It’s obvious the animals are in serious danger, since more have died since they were asked to intervene. Every day that goes by is another day the animals go hungry and without medical care, and the only way to truly save them is to get them out of there - RIGHT NOW!

Whether you’ve been here before… or you’re new to this website… we hope you will utilize the contacts page to voice your opinion over and over again. Allowing this situation to continue is not an option, and the only way it will ever change is if you become passionate in helping us secure their freedom!

Conditions for the animals have reached an all-time low, as Pepe has allowed two more tragic situations to manifest...

Pepe has continued to breed his tigers in order to get cubs. Five tiger cubs were born to sibling tigers that were being kept together, and Pepe used them to gain attention for himself. He pulled the tiger cubs from their mother in order to obtain news stories showing him posing with the cubs - but since he lacks the knowledge needed to care for newborn cubs - at least four cubs died within days!

At last reporting, only one cub remained, and it’s future looks bleak (and it may already be dead). In addition to his shear lack of care for these cubs, he also allowed one of his tigers to escape and it ended up seriously mauling a neighbor - putting the man in the hospital! The tiger was captured and returned to his cage, but all of the cages Pepe uses are old, deteriorated and falling apart, so the chances of another escape are high!

The Mexican Government has moved further on this case, stating they have revoked Pepe’s permits that allow him to have these animals… but nothing has actually been enforced to date. Animals have continued to die as this case has been neglected by the officials, and it is critically important for everyone who reads this to go to the “Contacts” Page of this website in order to contact as many government officials and media outlets as possible - so they will finally act on saving these animals!