Translated by Jesús Ronquillo / Circuito Frontera
The lake in Parque Central is one of its main attractions. This is one of the most visited public spaces by thousands of Juarenses, however, after a series of studies conducted by the Federal Institute of Public Defense of the Federal Judiciary, it was warned that it has levels of 2,400 Colony Forming Units (CFU) of pollution by a bacterium called E. Coli.
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Cindy Bernal, federal legal advisor of the Federal Institute of Public Defense of the Federal Judiciary in Ciudad Juárez, said in an interview with Circuito Frontera that the Parque Central also has a series of omissions by various authorities.
He mentioned that some of them even endanger the life of the flora and fauna of this space, but also the health of the people who come to this place and the workers themselves.
That after a collective injunction was filed, in which at least 22 people participate, personnel from the institution went to the Parque Central to carry out a series of studies for the review of this space by experts in different subjects, finding omissions to prevent, restore and correct the contamination of the air, soil, water and the environment in general.
There is also a high level of contamination in the lake with a bacterium called E.Coli, which can cause diseases not only to the species that drink this water but also to people who are exposed to this liquid.
“At the end of the day it is to safeguard the integrity of the people who come to Parque Central, literally the general public of Parque Central and, as I was saying, of the species that are there, because regardless of the contamination, because the care of each species is not in the conditions they should have”, he said.
This bacterium is generally harmless, however, in very high quantities it can lead to serious diseases such as diarrhea, urinary infections, respiratory diseases and bloodstream infections.
Bernal explained that the permitted level according to Mexican standards is 600 Colony Forming Units (CFU). However, the studies carried out in the Parque Central lake showed that it has pollution levels of 2,400.
The official indicated that they also have information that there have been several deaths of animals in this place, among them ducks and rabbits, as well as the life of Benito, the giraffe that lives in this park, is currently vulnerable.
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Benito’s compulsive attitude was documented, in which he licked the tubes of the umbrella he has, which is not healthy.
In addition, they found that multiple deficiencies were identified in the Parque Central, including the presence of animals at risk, such as the prairie dogs, whose situation does not comply with the corresponding regulations, according to NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010.
The legal advisor pointed out that one of the main problems is that the Parque Central does not comply with the essential characteristics of a zoo, which negatively affects the welfare of the animals.

As well as a lack of adequate structures for the species, inadequate feeding and an environment that does not meet the needs of the fauna in question.
He emphasized that the Federal Institute of Public Defense took legal measures, and that specialized experts in chemistry, toxicology, photography, civil engineering and social anthropology participated in the studies to document and support their claims.
Bernal explained that the indirect amparo lawsuit seeks to force the responsible authorities to take immediate measures to protect the integrity and life of the park’s species, as well as to guarantee dignified treatment of the species and ensure environmental protection.
It also seeks to prevent acts of extinction, suffering, trauma, and pain for the animals.
The authorities of the Parque Central are facing a flat suspension, which orders them to comply with immediate measures within 24 hours to protect users, workers and the life of the species.
However, he warned that the omissions in this space could affect not only the flora and fauna of this place, so it will be necessary for the park to be closed until the contamination is properly resolved and the necessary measures are taken.
Update at 4:36 pm November 07, 2023