Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo

Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo (sometimes called Mayagüez Zoo) is a 45-acre (18 ha) zoo located in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. It is the largest zoo on the island. It is named in honor of Juan A. Rivero, its first director. It has an extensive collection of animals from all continents. The premises of the zoo have remained closed to the general public following the passing of Hurricane Maria over Puerto Rico in September 2017. Two lion cubs were born at the zoo in 2019.[4]

Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo
Date opened1954[1]
Date closed2017
LocationMiradero barrio
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
Coordinates18.216205°N 67.133085°W / 18.216205; -67.133085
Land area45 acres (18 ha)[2]
No. of species75[3]
WebsiteNational Parks website

History

The zoo was originally opened in 1954, when legislator Benjamin Cole authored the law that created the zoo. Starting in 2003 the zoo went through a major upgrade with the addition of the aviary, arthropodary and a butterfly exhibition.[3]

On March 2008 the zoo acquired two new giraffes and two desert warthogs to augment the African collection. The animals were brought from Ohio and Louisiana.[5] The economic crisis related to the government debt crisis in Puerto Rico, which began in 2014, led to issues with zoo maintenance and animal care.[6]

Despite the zoo being closed to the public after the passing of Hurricane Maria in September 2017, the zoo still has animals with workers caring for them, and two heathy lion cubs were born at the zoo in 2019.[4]

Caimans at the caiman exhibit.

Federal permits withheld

Within the last ten years alone, the zoo had been cited for several violations of inhumane killings, including a puma, coatimundi, and a baboon that were "not fit for exhibition". Two guinea pigs on exhibition were fed alive to reptiles, and deer on exhibition were fed to big cats after having their jugulars cut without using a humane slaughter method. There were also accounts of the zoo using expired medications and having inadequate vet care. The United States Department of Agriculture investigated the zoo, and has not renewed the zoo's federal permits. [7]

Conservation programs

Committed to animal welfare, especially those facing extinction, the zoo has several conservations programs for the following species:

Facilities
Red-legged thrush at Juan A. Rivero Zoo

After the passing of Hurricane Maria the zoo with the following facilities remained closed to the general public:

  • Recreational areas
  • Souvenir Shop
  • Museum
  • Aviary
  • Mammal, birds, reptile and amphibian exhibits
  • Arthropodary

Adoption program

In an effort to promote conservation, the Dr. Rivero Zoo has started an adoption program in which citizens can "adopt" one of the zoo's animals, and donate to contribute in conservation efforts.

References
  1. "Zoological". pr.gov. Government of Puerto Rico. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved July 30, 2011.
  2. "The Mayaguez Zoo Near Cabo Rojo- Puerto Rico's Largest". puertorico.com. NewMedia Holdings, Inc. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  3. Mari, Brenda A. (March 25, 2005). "Something Sweet Like Mango in the Air: A Primer on Mayagüez". Puerto Rico Herald. Puerto Rico. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
  4. "Crecen saludables dos cachorros de león nacidos en el Zoológico de Mayagüez". El Nuevo Día (in Spanish). 26 April 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  5. Leon Alvarado, Gary E. (March 25, 2008). "Singulares advenedizos". elnuevodia.com. El Nuevo Dia. Archived from the original on January 22, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  6. Coto, Danica (July 17, 2017). "Puerto Rico economic crisis hits island's only zoo". The Associated Press News. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  7. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/federal-inspectors-find-inhumane-killings-injuries-at-puerto-ricos-only-zoo/
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