Sancti Spíritus Zoo: a popular spot to enjoy children and families

For decades, the Sancti Spíritus Zoo has been a popular destination for children and families to enjoy, especially on weekends and during the summer months. “El Bosque” (The Forest) is home to some 145 animal species, including various types of monkeys, a jaguar, jackals, crocodiles, hyenas, and birds, as well as buffalo and ponies, among others.

Taimí Mencía Venegas, the facility’s director, spoke to the press about the current condition of this diverse wildlife. “The hyenas are in very good shape. The leopard—as I put it—truly became a leopard here, after being born in Havana, and the same goes for the jaguar. The lions have had their rough patches, not just regarding food but also antiparasitic medication. We are only now purchasing antiparasitics for our lions; like all species—and humans, too—they need to undergo deworming cycles, and they hadn’t had a cycle in over a year.

“The iguanas had a habit of wandering off to the Fairgrounds and then to the Bowling Alley; given the various comments on social media, we decided to trade them with Villa Clara. They kept escaping here, and at least there, we know they are well cared for. We also had a mishap with the monkey cages—trees fell on them during the tornado, and the monkeys got out. The community helped us. We were able to keep track of them the whole time because local residents knew where they were and fed them—they are docile monkeys—until we could recapture them.”

The Sancti Spíritus Zoo is currently partnering with an MSME to diversify its recreational offerings and improve the animals’ living conditions. Among the shared goals yet to be realized is the creation of a “monkey island,” where the iconic chimpanzee Pipito—who has already lived in captivity for over 56 years—could reign.