Please note: The video accompanying this story is the broadcast version that aired on our sister station, Telemundo 20.
Tijuana officials plan to contact the San Diego Zoo and others about helping relocate some of the 160 animals after Parque Morelos, a zoo, closed following an audit.
The decision to close the zoo followed an audit of the Tijuana Municipal System of Themed Parks (SIMPATT), which uncovered numerous administrative and operational shortcomings that had negatively affected the upkeep of the facility.
The audit also revealed labor-related irregularities. Between 50% and 60% of the park’s employees are senior citizens who, for years, were paid wages below the legal minimum, according to Tijuana City Hall’s municipal comptroller, Teresita Balderas.
Balderas also stated that authorities are investigating whether officials from both the current and previous municipal administrations bear responsibility for the conditions under which the zoo was operating.
Balderas said this week that the director of Parque Morelos will reach out to the San Diego Zoo to explore the possibility of transferring some animals there, as part of a plan to ensure better animal welfare conditions.
In addition to the U.S. zoo, Tijuana is also considering relocating the animals to zoos in Ensenada, Mexicali and Guadalajara, as well as Puebla’s Safari Park.
The closure comes just weeks after the death of Mandy, a Bengal tiger, whose medical records showed she was overweight. According to the city comptroller, she died of a heart attack linked to that condition.
Balderas emphasized that Parque Morelos is administratively a theme park, not a zoo, noting that the animals should be housed in specialized facilities that can provide appropriate care and ensure their well-being.
The facility currently houses approximately 160 animals representing 15 different species.
This story was originally reported by NBC 7’s sister station, Telemundo 20. To read the article, click here.