Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo


Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo is a zoo located in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. It is the largest zoo on the island. It is named in honor of Juan A. Rivero, its first director. It has an extensive collection of animals from all continents. The premises of the zoo have remained closed to the general public following the passing of hurricane Maria over Puerto Rico in September 2017.

History

The zoo was originally opened in 1954, when legislator Benjamin Cole authored the law that created the zoo. Starting in 2003 the zoo went through a major upgrade with the addition of the aviary, arthropodary and a butterfly exhibition.
On March 2008 the zoo acquired two new giraffes and two desert warthogs to augment the African collection. The animals were brought from Ohio and Louisiana. The recent economic downturn related to the government debt crisis in Puerto Rico has led to issues with zoo maintenance and animal care.

Federal Permits Withheld

Within the last ten years alone, the zoo had been cited for several violations of inhumane killings, including a puma, coatimundi, and a baboon that were "not fit for exhibition". Two guinea pigs on exhibition were fed alive to reptiles, and deer on exhibition were fed to big cats after having their jugulars cut without using a humane slaughter method. There were also accounts of the zoo using expired medications and having inadequate vet care. The United States Department of Agriculture investigated the zoo, and has not renewed the zoo's federal permits.

Conservation programs

Committed to animal welfare, especially those facing extinction, the zoo has several conservations programs for the following species:
In an effort to promote conservation, the Dr. Rivero Zoo has started an adoption program in which citizens can "adopt" one of the zoo's animals, and donate to contribute in conservation efforts.