National Guard seizes Bengal tiger cub at the Merida Airport

MÉRIDA, Yucatán, (January 7, 2022) .- Authorities rescued a Bengal tiger cub on Thursday, January 6th, at the “Manuel Crescencio Rejón” Mérida International Airport.

This small specimen corresponds to an endangered species that is totally forbidden to own as a pet, so its rescue carried out by agents of the National Guard becomes even more relevant.

Personnel from the Federal Attorney Office for Environmental Protection (Profepa) intervened in the work. 

The feline was sheltered at the Mérida Centennial Zoo while its owner certifies its legal origin, the corresponding documentation, and the legal status of the animal is determined.

The animal was detected in cargo transit at the aforementioned airport.

Why is it called the Bengal tiger?

This species is called ‘Bengal’ due to its place of origin: the Bengala region of India.

Bengal tigers are the largest tiger species, accounting for about half of the wild tiger population. For many centuries tigers have played an important role in the tradition and culture of India.

Source: Sipse