Translated by Jesús Ronquillo / Circuito Frontera
Through its social networks, the Federal Attorney’s Office for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) announced that it took preventive measures regarding the welfare of a giraffe “Benito”, resident of the parque central in Ciudad Juarez.
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However, this comes after eight months of the collectives “Somos Su Voz” and “Salvemos a Benito” denouncing the poor conditions in which this species lives.
“Why do they lie? They have been just as omissive or even worse, even worse. They had since May that we made the first denouncements to demand what Benito now urgently needs and it was not until their fourth inspection, on October 25, that they requested them (…) They even issued communiqués stating that the giraffe and its habitat were fine”, declared Roberto Chávez, member of the collective “Salvemos a Benito” (Let’s Save Benito).
He stated that it was not until 72 days later that the federal agency made a pronouncement, which came late, since we are under freezing temperatures in the city, so Benito’s life is at risk in the parque central .
On its Instagram account, PROFEPA published that an administrative procedure is in force, as well as and is in the stage of opening of allegations.
“The administrative procedure continues and is in the stage of opening of allegations, so the inspected has three working days for the formulation of these. Once this time has elapsed, the corresponding draft resolution must be prepared,” reads the publication.
The giraffe Benito arrived in Ciudad Juárez on May 4 of last year, although the conditions of his natural habitat were not totally adequate for him, the state authorities committed to modify them for his well-being.
However, the concern of animal movements intensified once the summer came to this border, as extreme climates exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (110 degrees Fahrenheit), endangering his life.
Now that the winter has intensified, the problem has been the same: the conditions in which the giraffe Benito lives in the parque central not adequate for his well-being, added Chávez.
In this sense, Ana Felix, representative of the animal collective “Somos Su Voz”, said that the recent statement from PROFEPA took them by surprise, since they never responded to their requests or complaints.
This, after more than eight months, “Somos Su Voz” has fought tirelessly for Benito’s rights, demanding PROFEPA to report on the animal’s condition, carrying out peaceful demonstrations and collecting signatures.
We never knew what the report was,” said Ana Felix, “We insisted a thousand times that PROFEPA present the report of their visits here to Parque Central, but they never gave us an answer,” she said.
Although the news of Benito’s arrest could be a “ray of light” for the collective, it also has a bitter tone.
“Too late PROFEPA pronounces itself, but hopefully it is for the welfare of the giraffe that is in this park, because really since it arrived, our animal movement Council ‘Somos Su Voz’ has not rested a single day to enforce the rights and the life of this animal,” he added.
