The Cuban national zoo is currently operating under severe logistical strain, with staff resorting to horse-drawn transport and electric tricycles to manage its 375-hectare grounds. According to zoo director Juan Carlos Santos and zookeeper Ángel Cordero, the facility faces daily fuel shortages that limit diesel access to five litres—far below the 20 litres required to properly distribute food to animals like rhinos and hippos.
How are animal populations surviving the energy crisis?
Despite the fuel blockade, the zoo’s animal population remains stable, according to director Juan Carlos Santos. This stability is attributed to a combination of internal staff resilience and new partnerships with private businesses that supply necessary resources. While the facility struggles with the logistics of feeding large herbivores across the vast African savannah enclosures, the birth of four Bengal tiger cubs, including a rare white tiger, has provided a morale boost to the workforce.
Ángel Cordero, a zookeeper with 44 years of experience at the Cuban national zoo, notes that the birth of these white tiger cubs is only the second such occurrence in Cuba.
Why does the zoo rely on animal-powered transport?
The reliance on non-motorized transport is a direct consequence of the fuel scarcity impacting the island. As Cordero explains, the sheer size of the 375-hectare (926-acre) park makes traditional vehicle operation essential for daily tasks. Because the zoo cannot secure its full daily requirement of 20 litres of diesel, workers have shifted to horse and buggy and electric tricycles to reach distant enclosures. Cordero emphasizes that for the animals’ movements and the distribution of food, there is simply no other viable alternative.
What is the outlook for future operations?
Potential economic reforms in Cuba could shift the country toward a free-market model, which officials suggest may offer a path to revitalizing zoo operations. Such a transition could facilitate increased foreign investment, provide opportunities for scientific exchange, and stabilize the supply chain for animal care. These reforms remain the primary hope for modernizing logistics at the site, which Cordero helped build.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does the fuel shortage affect the animals? The primary impact is on logistics; workers struggle to transport food to large animals across the 375-hectare site.
- Are the animals safe? Yes, according to director Juan Carlos Santos, the animal population remains stable due to staff efforts and private supply contributions.
- What is the significance of the recent tiger births? The birth of four Bengal tiger cubs, including a rare white tiger, marks a rare event for the zoo and has boosted worker morale.
- What is the long-term plan for the zoo? Officials are looking toward potential economic reforms to open the door for foreign investment and modernized scientific exchange.
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