Tiger 'Kenzo' killed after escaping Mexican conservation center; facility closed

A Bengal tiger named Kenzo escaped from the Animal Experience Mexico conservation center in Tepetlaoxtoc, State of Mexico, on June 27, sparking a week-long search by local and federal authorities. The tiger was ultimately shot and killed by a security task force on June 30.

The search operation involved multiple agencies, including the Tepetlaoxtoc City Council, the State of Mexico's General Coordination of Civil Protection and Risk Management, the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa), specialists from the Zacango Ecological Park, veterinarians from Reino Animal, the State of Mexico's Secretariat of Security, and the National Guard. Kenzo was located in the San Bernardo mine area.

Following the escape, Profepa conducted an inspection of the Animal Experience Mexico facilities and detected irregularities. This led to the temporary closure of the center's commercial and exhibition activities and the seizure of nine other animals. The Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) clarified that Animal Experience Mexico is a registered Wildlife Management Facility (PIMVS) and not directly administered by the ministry, emphasizing that such facilities are responsible for the controlled reproduction and management of wildlife under their care, ensuring the safety of the public.

The incident has generated controversy on social media, with questions raised about the use of lethal force against the animal. Specialists argue that using a firearm should be a last resort when dealing with exotic species, especially when public safety is not immediately threatened.