Lawmaker wants to know future plans for shuttered Mayagüez Zoo

Rep. Lilibeth Rosas Vargas

By THE STAR STAFF

District 19 Rep. Lilibeth Rosas Vargas announced the introduction of House Resolution 444 on Tuesday, aiming to investigate the proposed development plans for the former Mayagüez Zoo.

Rosas stated that the resolution addresses the inaction of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) and remarks made by DNER Secretary Waldemar Quiles Pérez, who had mentioned plans to import boa constrictors to the island on a weekly basis. The secretary has said he will announce the plans for the zoo next year.

The lawmaker condemned the DNER secretary’s claim that the boa constrictors, brought in for research at the former zoo, are the same snakes that have overrun the fields in Puerto Rico. She expressed concern that the department has not considered the opinions of Mayagüez residents.

“Have the community’s opinions been taken into account to justify bringing in such a large number of boas -- around 200 to 300 per week?” she asked. “Is the secretary concerned about the potential for mass escapes of these snakes? What will happen in that case? I believe the Mayagüez Zoo grounds could be utilized for many other purposes.”

Rosas proposed that the zoo’s facilities be used in collaboration with the University of Mayagüez for student research projects. However, she pointed out that the zoo was closed to prevent experimentation with live animals, while Quiles Pérez’s plans specifically involve working with live animals.

She also noted that there are currently no finalized plans for the facilities.

“They’ve made some radical changes, but it’s treated like a military secret,” the Popular Democratic Party legislator said. “They don’t disclose what will happen on those properties. Initially, it was proposed to create an eco-garden, which everyone agrees would be a valuable investment on those lands. They are beautiful grounds that could bring families together. Additionally, we could establish a center in Mayagüez, but beyond that, the details remain secret, and the community has not been informed about the plans.”

She emphasized that people are concerned about the introduction of snakes into Mayagüez.

In response, Quiles Pérez announced that the design for the new uses of the site should be ready by 2026.

“We expect to begin bidding in the first half of the year, and this will depend on the work schedule provided by the designer,” he said. “It will be general research. I can’t lead a natural resources department without knowing the state of our natural resources. I have instructed all my assistant secretaries and office directors to focus on research. There are proposals that go unnoticed because no one asks for them. Funding is available for research, and I am guiding my staff to pursue that funding and dedicate ourselves to research.”

“What will we do at the former Mayagüez Zoo?” he continued. “The operations building will be converted into a research center. It’s a facility in good condition that just needs renovation.”