A Bengal tiger that had escaped from a zoo in Mexico was safely captured after nearly a week on the loose. The 220-pound tiger was caught in the city of Los Longoria thanks to the joint efforts of the Environmental Directorate and Civil Protection and Firefighters Reynosa. Authorities placed three cages in the area of the tiger’s sighting to complete the capture without causing harm to any animals. The Quinta La Fauna zoo reported that the tiger escaped on September 4 when officials noticed it was not in its cage and the mesh had been destroyed.
There were several reported sightings of the tiger near Mission, Texas, over the weekend, but none were confirmed by law enforcement. Officials in South Texas were concerned that the tiger might swim across the Rio Grande and enter the U.S., as tigers can swim up to seven miles per day, and the Rio Grande is only about 50 yards across at that location. However, the tiger remained within Mexico throughout the search and capture efforts. After being caught, the tiger will be transferred to the Tamatán Zoo in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, which has the appropriate facilities and personnel to protect the animal.
The tiger’s escape raised concerns about public safety and potential harm to other animals in the area. The joint efforts of various government agencies and zoo officials were crucial in safely capturing the tiger without causing harm. The extensive search and setting of traps in the area of the tiger’s sightings were key in ensuring a successful capture. Additionally, the zoo where the tiger originally escaped from, Quinta La Fauna, will no longer be able to protect the specimen and therefore decided to transfer it to a different facility in Ciudad Victoria.
Social media posts had reported sightings of the tiger, but none were confirmed by law enforcement. The tiger’s ability to swim long distances and the close proximity to the U.S. border had authorities on high alert, but ultimately the tiger remained in Mexico throughout the ordeal. The successful capture of the tiger and its transfer to the Tamatán Zoo will ensure the safety of the animal going forward. Authorities are relieved that the situation was resolved without any injuries to the tiger or harm to other animals in the area.
The capture of the tiger highlights the importance of coordinated efforts between government agencies and wildlife officials in responding to such incidents. The joint work of the Environmental Directorate, Civil Protection and Firefighters Reynosa, and other agencies was crucial in safely capturing the escaped tiger. Moving forward, lessons learned from this incident can help improve response protocols for similar situations involving escaped animals. City officials in Reynosa expressed gratitude for the efforts of all involved in successfully capturing the tiger and ensuring the safety of the public and surrounding wildlife.
