{"id":2186905,"date":"2025-05-31T06:00:21","date_gmt":"2025-05-31T05:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/?p=2186905"},"modified":"2025-05-24T08:58:02","modified_gmt":"2025-05-24T07:58:02","slug":"even-hippos-elephants-and-monkeys-are-fleeing-bloody-gang-violence-in-mexicos-sinaloa-province","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/even-hippos-elephants-and-monkeys-are-fleeing-bloody-gang-violence-in-mexicos-sinaloa-province\/","title":{"rendered":"Even hippos, elephants and monkeys are fleeing bloody gang violence in Mexico\u2019s Sinaloa province"},"content":{"rendered":"

Organized crime and violence in the Mexican state of Sinaloa has forced a local sanctuary to close and transfer at least 700 animals \u2013 including elephants, tigers, lions, ostriches, chickens, monkeys, crocodiles, and hippos \u2013 to a new location 212 kilometers (approximately 131 miles) away.<\/p>\n

The animals were relocated from the Ostok Sanctuary in Culiacan, a city in the Mexican state of Sinaloa, to Mazatlan, in the southern part of the state, due to ongoing violence, according to sanctuary director Ernesto Zazueta.<\/p>\n

In recent months, violence between rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel has surged across the state in northwestern Mexico, particularly in Culiacan.<\/p>\n

According to Zazueta, this is the largest relocation of wildlife in Mexico ever carried out due to violence.<\/p>\n

Zazueta stated that the sanctuary closed due to threats to staff, robberies, and extortion attempts from criminal groups.<\/p>\n

Zazueta told CNN that sanctuary staff, along with volunteers and supporting organizations, relocated the animals on Tuesday to a site called \u201cBioparque El Encanto.\u201d<\/p>\n

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A keeper feeds an elephant as it is relocated to a ranch on the coast from Culiacan, Sinaloa state, Mexico, on May 20. Ivan Medina\/AFP via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cCuliacan is the toughest area. We had never had problems in other occasions, but nowadays it became very difficult for us to even reach the sanctuary. They practically chased us out of the place because there were people who wanted to extort us,\u201d Zazueta said.<\/p>\n

Zazueta said the sanctuary came to its decision after one of its elephants, named Viki, had a problem with her leg and the staff realized that no veterinarian was willing to make the trip to Culiacan due to safety concerns.<\/p>\n

This article<\/a> by Gabriela Frias and Daniela Pati\u00f1o was first published by CNN on 22 May 2025. Lead Image: A lion waits to be taken away from the Ostok Sanctuary in Culiacan, Mexico, on May 20. Felix Marquez\/AP.
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Wildlife in catastrophic decline<\/h2>\n

The 73% decline in vertebrate wildlife populations during the last 50 years (mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish), is primarily driven by human activities that threaten biodiversity.<\/p>\n

Habitat Loss and Degradation<\/em> – human activities like deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture have led to the destruction and fragmentation of natural habitats, reducing the space and resources available for wildlife.<\/p>\n

Pollution<\/em> – air, water, and soil pollution from industrial activities, agriculture, and other sources can harm wildlife directly or indirectly by affecting their habitats and food sources.<\/p>\n

Climate Change<\/em> – changing weather patterns, rising temperatures, and sea levels are disrupting ecosystems and impacting species’ ability to adapt and survive.<\/p>\n

Overexploitation of Resources<\/em> – unsustainable hunting, fishing, and logging practices can lead to the depletion of populations and the loss of biodiversity.<\/p>\n

Invasive Species<\/em> – the introduction of non-native species can disrupt ecosystems, compete with native species, and threaten their survival.<\/p>\n