Additional Coverage:
- Hundreds of animals flee cartel chaos, violence after wildlife refuge faced with threats (foxnews.com)
Culiacán Cartel Violence Forces Evacuation of Animal Sanctuary
The escalating cartel violence in Culiacán, Mexico, has reached a devastating new low, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of animals from the Ostok Sanctuary. The sanctuary, home to over 700 animals, including tigers, lions, elephants, and monkeys, found itself caught in the crossfire between warring factions of the Sinaloa Cartel.
The animals, some of whom were rescued from drug lords who kept them as pets, suffered immensely amid the ongoing violence. Some went without food, others experienced stress-induced fur loss, and tragically, two big cats perished. Sanctuary director Ernesto Zazueta painted a grim picture, stating, “We’ve never seen violence this extreme.”
The unrest began after a son of notorious drug lord El Chapo Guzmán kidnapped a rival cartel leader and extradited him to the United States, shattering the fragile peace that had existed under the Sinaloa Cartel’s control. Now, rival factions are vying for power, resorting to extortion, kidnapping, and robbery to fund their war, according to security analyst David Saucedo.
The city lives in fear, with roadblocks, daily shootings, and parents afraid to send their children to school. Law enforcement presence is minimal, leaving residents vulnerable.
The Ostok Sanctuary, located near a Chapitos stronghold, became a target. Animals exhibited signs of trauma from the constant gunfire and helicopters overhead.
Rumors circulate of cartel members feeding rivals to their pet lions, a chilling illustration of the pervasive lawlessness. Sanctuary staff reported receiving threats demanding payment, warning they would burn down the facility and kill the animals otherwise.
Rescuer Diego García lamented, “There’s no safe place left in this city these days.”
Despite pleas for help, the government offered no assistance. The breaking point came when Bireki, one of the sanctuary’s elephants, injured her foot and no veterinarian, domestic or international, was willing to risk entering the cartel-controlled territory to treat her. Faced with this dire situation, Zazueta and his team made the difficult decision to evacuate all the animals.
In a carefully orchestrated operation, trucks bearing white flags transported the sedated animals to Mazatlán. The convoy, accompanied by sanctuary workers who whispered reassurances to the frightened creatures, navigated past cartel lookouts and successfully reached their destination.
While the animals are safe for now, the sanctuary staff remains apprehensive. The pervasive nature of cartel violence casts a long shadow, and the fear that it will follow them to Mazatlán is palpable.