Roughly 700 former circus and cartel-owned exotic animals were evacuated from Ostok Sanctuary near Culiacán amid an eight-month cartel feud, highlighting government inaction and wildlife risks.
On May 20, veterinarians and staff at the Ostok Sanctuary executed an urgent evacuation of approximately 700 exotic animals—ranging from tigers and jaguars to elephants, lions, and monkeys—after weeks of escalating cartel-driven violence threatened both the wildlife and those caring for them. Using metal transport crates, the convoy departed under heavy security for Mazatlán, where sanctuary administrators hope to provide a safer environment and secure essential supplies.
The decision to relocate came after an eight-month power struggle between rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel spilled into communities surrounding the sanctuary, leading to armed incursions on refuge grounds, repeated death threats against personnel, and severe shortages of feed and medicine. A recent injury to one of the sanctuary’s elephants—sustained during a night when gunfire broke out nearby—underscored the urgency of moving the animals to a more secure facility.
“We were down to our last sacks of feed, and the uncertainty every time shots rang out was simply untenable,” said Dr. Maribel Navarro, lead veterinarian at Ostok Sanctuary. “Our priority is the welfare of these animals, many of whom have endured years of exploitation by circuses or cartel members. To see them further traumatized by violence was heartbreaking.”
Staffers report that cartel operatives frequently patrolled the sanctuary perimeter, forcibly demanding “protección” payments in exchange for ensuring the refuge would not become collateral damage in their clashes. Sanctuary director Alejandro Ruiz explained that while they managed to negotiate a fragile truce last December, recent escalation nullified any guarantees.
“Our caretakers were living in fear,” Ruiz said. “We had to choose between risking violent confrontation or removing the animals entirely. Given the start of the hot season and dwindling water and medical supplies, remaining was no longer an option.”
A Massive Logistical Undertaking
The AP photo gallery documenting the operation highlights the scale of the effort: dozens of metal crates lined up on the dusty grounds as cranes hoisted larger enclosures onto flatbed trucks, while volunteers and local volunteers loaded smaller mammals by hand. Mexican federal authorities provided limited escort vehicles, though sanctuary staff contend that additional military support was requested weeks earlier and never materialized.
Each animal underwent a health check before loading, with veterinarians administering sedatives to minimize stress. Elephants, weighing several tons each, required reinforced metal crates and specialized lifting equipment, while big cats were sedated and bundled into padded cages. Team leaders aimed to complete all loading operations before dusk, mindful of both rising temperatures and the risk of nighttime attacks.
Once secured, the convoy embarked on the 300-kilometer journey south to Mazatlán, where sanctuary officials have arranged temporary accommodations at a coastal wildlife rescue center. There, local authorities and nonprofit partners will coordinate round-the-clock care, ensuring adequate food, water, and medical attention during the transitional period.
Sanctuary Under Siege
Established in 2012, Ostok Sanctuary has long provided refuge to exotic animals seized from circuses, illegal traders, and criminal organizations. Over the years, staff have rehabilitated more than 1,200 animals—many bearing physical and psychological scars from years of neglect or forced performance. However, the sanctuary’s proximity to Culiacán, the cartel’s de facto capital, has rendered it vulnerable to the very violence it seeks to reverse.
According to human rights observers, the recent factional war has left at least 60 civilians dead and forced hundreds more from their homes across rural Sinaloa. Local ranchers and small communities have reported extortion and kidnappings, while journalists covering the conflict face threats and intimidation. In many cases, these incidents have gone unpunished, deepening public frustration over perceived government inaction.
“Cartels now operate as parallel authorities, extracting taxes and dictating daily life in parts of Sinaloa,” said Cristina Hernández, a security analyst with the Mexico Peace Institute. “Nonprofit institutions like Ostok Sanctuary are collateral victims of this impunity—when the state fails to secure its own citizens, wildlife becomes yet another casualty.”
Government Response and Criticism
Federal communications released this week acknowledged receipt of the sanctuary’s evacuation request but stopped short of committing further resources. A statement from the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) noted that Mazatlán’s coastal refuge “is better equipped to care for the animals” but did not address any future plans to bolster security at animal protection sites in conflict zones.
In Culiacán, local wildlife advocates have criticized both municipal and federal authorities for delayed action. “We’ve been sounding the alarm since January,” lamented Lourdes Martínez, director of Animal Protection Sinaloa. “Each week brought new threats. The sanctuary’s very mission—rescuing wildlife from cruelty—was undermined by the cruelty of human violence.”
Looking Ahead: Long-Term Safety and Rehabilitation
Mazatlán’s coastal refuge will serve as a temporary haven while Ostok Sanctuary’s board considers potential relocation to a safer region. Long-term plans include constructing reinforced enclosures inland, beyond cartel territories, and forging partnerships with international wildlife organizations to secure funding and technical support.
Experts highlight the need for comprehensive strategies that address not only the immediate welfare of the animals but also the root causes of cartel violence. This could involve enhancing rural policing, strengthening community ties, and deploying specialized rapid-response units at vulnerable sites.
“In the absence of state authority, cartels fill the void,” said Dr. Rodrigo Larios, a criminologist at the Autonomous University of Sinaloa. “Protecting sanctuaries requires restoring legitimate security and governance across the region—not just temporary fixes for individual institutions.”
For now, the migrants of Ostok Sanctuary—majestic animals once paraded under spotlights or exploited as status symbols—begin a new chapter far from the gun battles that threatened their survival. Though the journey to Mazatlán offers a reprieve, wildlife defenders warn that their safety ultimately depends on Mexico’s ability to reclaim control of territories where lawlessness has prevailed.
