How hundreds of animals were rescued from a troubled Puerto Rico zoo

How hundreds of animals were rescued from a troubled Puerto Rico zoo | 60 Minutes

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Puerto Rico’s lone zoo was closed after years of complaints about conditions. Colorado-based animal sanctuary founder Pat Craig spent months rescuing the animals.
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Пікірлер: 315

@irmapodesta4421 4 ай бұрын

I'm from Puerto Rico, and I always fought and protested for that zoo to close, and for those animals to be transported to rescue groups. Thanks Pat.

@GuantanamoBayBarbie3 4 ай бұрын

There used to be a zoo somewhere in the San Juan metro area back in the mid-70s. Do you know if it's gone? I don't remember there being one in Mayaguez, but it was a very long time ago. Boqueron was empty and beautiful back then. There were rustic cabins 20 ft from the water, and you could rent them for $50/week. We had the entire place to ourselves except for a female member of the Olympic Swim Team. She'd swim a couple of miles out and back each day. I miss PR. 🛬 🌊 🏝 ⛵️❤ 🌴 😊🍹🥥🍍 🥭🍌

@bongopro4401 4 ай бұрын

@@GuantanamoBayBarbie3this might b the one u remember

@GuantanamoBayBarbie3 4 ай бұрын

@bongopro4401 Maybe so. I thought it was fairly close to our home in Bayamon, but I guess my memory is faulty. Perhaps we stopped there during a week we spent at Boqueron, which is also on the west side of the island.

@ithanvega 4 ай бұрын

¡Gracias Irma! Soy de Puerto Rico y el maltrato de los animales en el zoológico de Mayagüez nos da muchísima vergüenza a nosotros puertorriqueños. Me alegra tanto que éstos animales estén en lugares dónde son tratados cómo se merecen 🥲

@taylorc146 4 ай бұрын

Me and my son have been practicing our Spanish for a trip to the Indianapolis zoo to meet Mara.

@ithanvega 4 ай бұрын

I’m from Puerto Rico and the horrible mistreatment of the animals at the Mayagüez zoo has infuriated me for years. I’m immensely heartbroken that many of the issues they have as results of their mistreatment are permanent but I’m also incredibly happy to see them get the homes they deserve…

@xxyy1318 Ай бұрын

Years? Where were you? Why didn't you do something about it?

@user-oh7ic6ki2t 4 ай бұрын

No animal should ever live like this. Hurts my heart. Thank you to Craig and Monica and their team for helping these animals. Thank you to the justice department for helping them

@kerirae4777 4 ай бұрын

WE NEED TO SUPPORT PAT AND HIS SANCTUARY!! Thank you - you are all heroes!🙏🏼🥰

@JP-rb1js 3 ай бұрын

I have visited the Sanctuary multiple times and it’s a God send for these animals. I donate every month

@FRANK-ex5fg 3 ай бұрын

😂 SO HAPPY these animals have been rescued treated for sicknesses, mis treatment, now getting all they need.😅

@FRANK-ex5fg 3 ай бұрын

❤ MY HEART ACHES FOR THESE RESCUED ANIMALS THAT WAS SO MISTREATED, ABUSED TORCHERED. NOW FREE TO ROME AS THEY SHOULD!

@joshuadejesus9861 4 ай бұрын

I’m from Puerto Rico,I have seen this zoo in decline and I wish this was done sooner

@xxyy1318 Ай бұрын

Then why didn't you write Congress?

@joshuadejesus9861 Ай бұрын

@@xxyy1318 I was a minor a literal child?

@user-or2cy3xz6n 4 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for rescuing the animals I loved as a child. They were very well cared of at one time. So PLEASE don’t judge the people from Puerto Rico. They loved those animals too!!

@debbieschultz9768 4 ай бұрын

You’re right. No one has the right to blame Puerto Rico because it happened there.

@colorbugoriginals4457 4 ай бұрын

Looks like there were organized efforts protesting it, the community made it happen ❤

@thetruepatriot7733 4 ай бұрын

Nope... it's definitely fair to blame Puerto Rican leadership for this 😢

@MeganKugs 4 ай бұрын

I definitely agree with not blaming the majority of citizens. They weren’t on the inside, they didn’t see the conditions firsthand and there were many, many people who protested against the zoo’s continued operation for years. However, there absolutely is blame to lay at the feet of the higher ups at the zoo, the government officials who could have stepped in years and years ago and the zookeepers who wouldn’t even help transfer the animals out of tiny cages with no electricity. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to work with and love animals and now they’re being taken away and you’ll never see them again but if you love them you need to be willing to put yourself aside to do what’s right for them. (It’s a similar principle when it comes to having a pet euthanized. No one ever wants that and it’s always awful but the choices are keep the animal around in pain because you’re not ready or allow them to leave in peace. I’ve been in that position and it rips you up but it’s the right choice.)

@mononoke813 3 ай бұрын

Pretty sure that at SOME POINT it becomes obvious the “care” they *once* received no longer applied. 100% hold those Puerto Ricans involved accountable for not doing something sooner and 100% blame those who sabotaged and refused to help.

@susanmoore9852 4 ай бұрын

Proud to say this sanctuary is almost in my backyard. It's a great place to visit.

@edyann 4 ай бұрын

I saw this on tv on Sunday. What beautiful people, thank you for saving the voiceless.

@ramonperez-rl4ws 4 ай бұрын

Yes I also saw it on PBS it was great to see Mundy the elephant, and the other animals also.

@user-rb7my2nf3k 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for saving these beautiful animals

@user-hw4rh8lq1u 3 ай бұрын

Me & my wife can say enough of how great you people are. Thank you so much for everything you and your wife do.

@PeachMintz 4 ай бұрын

The fact there were people protesting AGAINST Pat is insane and they were told “oh there’s no abuse. It’s the animals getting older and the hurricane’s fault.” Thank you Pat and your team for everything you do

@YourMsRightHere 4 ай бұрын

For every human that is terrible to animals there is almost always someone like Pat. We should all be like Pat

@IAMHIM15 4 ай бұрын

Support Pat and his organization and check out his years of videos. He's been trying to fix the problems that WE human's created.

@apandama-wk8hi 4 ай бұрын

Those poor animals. I'm so glad they found a beautiful home. That animal sanctuary is based in Colorado. It is amazing. I did volunteer work as a teenager It's such a beautiful place. Some of the animals from tiger king actually ended up there as well if I remember correctly.

@jyoster6447 4 ай бұрын

Coming in from Puerto Rico. I remember going towards that zoo when I was little, and I got to learn a lot about the animals living there. As much as it saddens me that I won't get to see them again, I'm happy for them that they got better homes. And I'm very ashamed of the folks who were being stubborn and uncooperative regarding the rescue. Puerto Rico I see it as a place where people of different cultures come together and help each other, so I don't condone the attempts at sabotage done.

@RavenMistwolf 3 ай бұрын

The fact that locals sabotaged your efforts to rescue these horribly mistreated animals is absolutely disgusting. Everyone who contributed to this mistreatment, abuse, and neglect deserves to be imprisoned! I know this is not reflective of most people living in Puerto Rico, so please don’t hate on them as a whole. Thank you all for doing so much to save these poor animals and give them the better lives they deserve.

@althepal1983 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for rescuing. It’s important that sanctuaries stay ‘hands-off’!

@lindafischlein728 4 ай бұрын

I have visited the Wild Animal Sanctuary. What an amazing place and gift to these poor creatures!

@KJ-gc8oq 4 ай бұрын

Wonderful to see such a vast amount of space and to hear that Walmart donates a ton of food every week.

@chilltarts 3 ай бұрын

Don’t praise the corporation too much. They’re only doing it because they get a tax write off. If that were to stop, the donations would too 🤨

@zacharytracy3797 Ай бұрын

I worked at Sam’s Club (Walmart) and gathered 4 gifted cakes that were being given away to the employees as gifts for Thanksgiving. There was almost 80 full-sized Bundt cakes 5 days after Thanksgiving and they were going stale. I gave those 4 I could fit into my car and donated them to a local food bank. Next day I was making arrangements with the food bank to come pick up the rest when they fired me for stealing from the store to sell the goods myself. I showed PROOF of my communications with the Food Bank and they still fired me. Don’t simp for corporations and don’t “donate” to their causes as the money YOU give to be donated is classified as the corporation giving that money away charitably to their benefit!

@terireed3740 4 ай бұрын

I cried.. and cried some more. 1st from immense sadness about their treatment. And then from happiness about their rescue. Blessings to all people who help the helpless.

@cathy1944 4 ай бұрын

This made my heart happy to see them free and happy in a safe home.

@liviamon 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for taking care of these animals. I do not care where you come from or what agency or corporation you represent, you represent these animals and their wellbeing. There is, or was, another place located in the city of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, called "Parque de las Ciencias" they have (or had) some live animals on display. Many years ago, my kids used to go to watch the animals. The last time they went they returned sad and eyes swelled with tears for the state the animals were in. They never went again. I do not know if it currently has animals or is just a "science display" place.Those animals were in worse condition than those that were at Mayaguez Zoo. Some groups protested for the bad conditions the animals were kept in. What happened after their protests, no one knows, it was “swept under the carpet” by the city government. It makes me sad and ashamed of the way these managers and government entities treated all these animals.

@davidbonilla904 4 ай бұрын

I've been living in PR for the past 26 years. This story speaks volumes of the negligence the government has, not only with them, but even with us the people. They keep wondering why people keep fleeing to the States, but their narcissism is so immense that they're completely unable to see the truth before our eyes. It's honestly embarrassing AF, not only to see the point those animals were allowed to live in, but to hear that the zoo employees literally wanted to keep them in those conditions (which I know personally they did). I truly am sorry you had to live through that. And I thank everyone involved in saving those animals. Please never forget, THE GOVERNMENT IS THE CAUSE OF ALL OUR PROBLEMS!

@jimk8520 4 ай бұрын

Government is comprised of people. It’s the complete jerks among us who are the cause of our problems.

@mdwoods100 4 ай бұрын

Amazing couple. Thank you for caring so much.

@AlternativeHomesteading 4 ай бұрын

Thank you 60 Minutes for covering this story and to those wonderful people for rescuing these tortured animals. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. This is happening all over the world and in the United States. We have whales and dolphins that need to be rescued from so-called aquarium attractions. The list is endless. Please make certain you have back up caretakers to take over when you no longer can.

@zoyita04 4 ай бұрын

Im from Puerto Rico and went to this zoo 2 times I felt very sad both times, i thought I was helping them by visiting them with my entrance money but that's not how it works. And yes, our government lied in that letter they did neglect this zoo and its animals. I'm very happy and relieved that they are in a happy place now. Thank you!

@user-wb4gi4qd7q 4 ай бұрын

I always feel sad at zoos.

@martinejustice6416 4 ай бұрын

And, thank you 60 Minutes for bringing this tragedy to light. I want to donate to the organizations who took these animals in & the people who rescued them. 🙏

@meggiemooism 3 ай бұрын

First one is an animal sanctuary in Colorado, run by this man Pat Craig. The elephant sanctuary is a refuge in Georgia run by Carol buckley idk if I spelled that right.

@martinejustice6416 3 ай бұрын

@meggiemooism Thank YOU for the info! I'm happy to let them know you were their advocate for the contributions I'm making.

@martinejustice6416 3 ай бұрын

@@meggiemooism is the elephant sanctuary in Georgia, USA? Or Georgia, in the country of Transcaucusia?

@meggiemooism 3 ай бұрын

@@martinejustice6416 aww that's sweet 😊 no need to do that, I'm happy to help. I was pretty certain it was Georgia USA but interestingly it seems it may be in Tennessee USA but not 100% sure. Google Carol Buckley. She's the founder, president & CEO of elephant aid international. Her info & website should be the first results when you Google her name. 😁

@ounca 2 ай бұрын

@@martinejustice6416 Georgia, USA

@jbegg1978 4 ай бұрын

These people seriously give me hope for humanity.

@user-vf7ge3ht7h 4 ай бұрын

Craig, thankyou soooo much for rescuing all the animals you have .You are definitely a warrior for them. The world needs more of you and also your wife and team.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

@mexx8093 4 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for saving and rescued these amazing animals ❤ God bless you all 🙏

@just10case 2 ай бұрын

Thank God for people like Craig

@ediethorne7217 4 ай бұрын

Pat and his team are fantastic

@Megadextrious 4 ай бұрын

I’m always amazed at just how beautiful and regal the big cats are 😍 sometimes you can forget just how big they are when watching on the screen. I love seeing them head bump each other the same way my kitty does to me 😄 Thank god for people like this; what wonderful heroes ♥️

@watsonspuzzle 4 ай бұрын

I don't understand why the zoo didn't reach out to a rescue as soon as they realized they couldn't keep the animals in good health. Why let a lion be eaten alive over time with cancer? Thankfully, this sanctuary stepped up to provide for them.

@diamondjim7560 4 ай бұрын

Very possibly the owners were receiving government funds to operate that place. Instead of putting the money into the welfare of the animals, they devoured it themselves. Might be one of the reason the staff and locals fought the rescue. The money was going to dry up immediately and they knew it. The other villain is the Federal Wildlife Agency charged with oversight. If they knew this was going on and did nothing, another agency management that needs to be accountable. If they never bothered, same thing… clean out management of another corrupt government institution.

@jessycaphoenix8152 3 ай бұрын

Wow. Thanks to everyone who helps and loves animals.

@polarberri 4 ай бұрын

Amazing to see how vast a space they have now. Thank you for all that you do!

@roseg.4354 4 ай бұрын

Thank you to all helping hands.. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

@jorgecruzseda7551 4 ай бұрын

A shame on us in Puerto Rico because of damm corruption 😢

@iriselsa66 4 ай бұрын

😮 I'm very disappointed on the care that was neglected for these animals!

@richardjohnson5529 4 ай бұрын

Craige and Monica You Are Heroes, Thank You for Caring.

@moppeliini6614 4 ай бұрын

There is a hope for humanity...

@koriw1701 4 ай бұрын

Yeah. Sadly, they are few and far between. Vote Democrat! 😉

@florabamabelle6413 4 ай бұрын

@@koriw1701Vote D are you joking? The blue states are turning US into a PR zoo!

@suziperret468 4 ай бұрын

Hip hip hooray! These animals deserve sanctuary and a chance to feel the freedom to roam with their own kind!

@erikadowdy2382 3 ай бұрын

Im tearing up ; I LOVE THESE PEOPLE🎉❤ U know those airlines aren’t cheap!!!

@michellecooper5753 4 ай бұрын

Craig, thank you so much to you and your wonderful team. Great work for our precious creatures. They need you and we do too.

@chelseamiranda6651 3 ай бұрын

So sad for the animals that never made it but incredibly happy for the ones that are now in a much better place. Humans can be so cruel and selfish. Thanks Pat and Monica for all the good yall are doing

@pattimiller9157 4 ай бұрын

God bless you a million times for saving the animals ❤

@robinmeekins1400 3 ай бұрын

Thank you Pat!!!!! God Bless these innocent creatures!!!

@BooBuKittyPhuk 4 ай бұрын

Watching this literally made me cry. I'm so confused by people who want to keep these beautiful creatures in those horrible environments. Thank god for people like this and the animals they're able to save. Just wish there was more that could be done.

@MarieGrafmiller 4 ай бұрын

THANK YOU!!!!!! Your efforts and compassion is what makes this world a better place.❤❤❤

@jpjp455 2 ай бұрын

❤❤❤❤ ! God bless Pat Craig, his wife and team abundantly for saving the innocent animals!!!

@tmgetts 3 ай бұрын

What beautiful souls he and his awesome team are! The animals are finely home! ❤❤❤

@katiefountain2407 2 ай бұрын

Thank you to the kind souls who cared 🙏

@grilleddcheesus5122 4 ай бұрын

I’m glad these animals were rescued, but someone needs to be held responsible for the crimes committed in that zoo. Also, government of Puerto Rico, shame on you for allowing this injustice.

@raydomenech7646 4 ай бұрын

I lived a few miles away from that zoo when I was a little boy and remember going once. It was an ugly and neglected zoo back then, I never went back… it was a sad place, glad they shut it down.

@brandonwilliams1851 4 ай бұрын

Thank God for these people's help.

@ramonperez-rl4ws 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for their rescue. I was there on the island. Yes I am so grateful for their rescue. I have it to do my own rescue I am living now in Orlando Florida. It was great to see Mundy again 🎉😊😂 thank you.

@KCDWolf 4 ай бұрын

I remember visiting this zoo when I was a kid. It was pretty awesome, then I left for the mainland, so now seeing this is really heartbreaking

@spideywhiplash 4 ай бұрын

Seeing things like this is why I only donate to animal rescue organizations. Humans have a voice and enough help. Animals are the natural beauty of our planet and the silent suffers. Best to take care of them.

@dade8053 4 ай бұрын

How do you acclimate these animals from Caribbean temps to the temps in Colorado?

@portcybertryx222 4 ай бұрын

These are some rare, endangered and exotic animals that should absolutely be treated with respect and care. I don’t care about how much money we spend on this. It ain’t important. We shouldn’t let neglect cost us our treasured wildlife.

@saralee9075 4 ай бұрын

I love these sanctuaries with all my heart and to be a 4th generation Colorado person I very proud to have a safe environment for these lovely animals. When I hit the lottery I will be sure to donate to this wonderful place and all my love to all the keepers !! ❤❤❤❤❤

@user-wb4gi4qd7q 4 ай бұрын

I am crying nonstop right now. Bless you Pat.

@valeriemangan2064 4 ай бұрын

People like this give me hope for the world. What a good man, with an incredible organization. His life mission is making such a difference. I am not one of those people who think zoo's shouldn't exist. But BAD zoo's shouldn't exist, and everyone who loves animals should do what they can to call them out, report them, expose them.

@tonyastadt6110 4 ай бұрын

I am so blessed that there is people like you in your wife To build a sanctuary for these creatures that people don't understand and don't take care of your blessing!! And now they have a new life to enjoy🤗❤

@catapodaca3601 4 ай бұрын

The perfect story of good versus evil humans for the care of animals.

@carolynvillanueva5573 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for rescuing them😢

@r1verman 4 ай бұрын

Thankful that there are wonderful sanctuaries to give these animals a proper home. I love zoos. They provide for people to see and experience species they would otherwise not be able to see, but the animal's care and well-being should always be first priority.

@fincarosa6767 4 ай бұрын

I begged jack hanna to come 2 years ago!! Those animals were kept in horrible conditions, sick elephant...sad Thank you to everyone whom was part of this rescue!! I was still worried about all the animals that needed someones help.❤

@Beautifulday14 4 ай бұрын

Your all amazing I hope the best for everyone that helped these animals❤. Craig you are sent straight from heaven

@MeganKugs 4 ай бұрын

I’m so happy to know about this organization! I’m going to donate what I can as soon as I can. The incredible work they’re doing deserves as much support as possible. 💜

@claire-christmas-august73 4 ай бұрын

🥺 that had me all choked up.! how fantastic is that.! amazing humans all of you.! bravo. ☺️😊😃😆 ✌🏻🇦🇺🌏🤘🏻

@josefinematildehansenvonki2384 3 ай бұрын

Bless all of you❤❤❤

@artedejali 3 ай бұрын

Back in the 70s Safari Park was the zoo to go-school trips, etc., and it was a very sad zoo. I remember there was a hippopotamus by itself in a cement enclosure with a small water filled pool. Thank you for rescuing the animals. ❤

@artedejali 3 ай бұрын

Safari Park en Puerto Rico

@CatsSleepyHollow 4 ай бұрын

I got to see the main Sanctuary and it is a beautiful place! If you want to have the full experience, do the guided tour with people like Austin who have so much knowledge and love what they do. Then go see Linda and find some beautiful souvenirs that benefit what you just enjoyed! My Son and I loved it and I am saving up for the next trip! Hopefully one day I get to see the other locations too.

@Marie-ts8rp 3 ай бұрын

Thank you 60 Min for this story! Please evrryone support Carol Buckley's Elephant Refuge North America & Pats Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colora🐅🐘

@carminecdinoproductions 4 ай бұрын

I think there should be a better zoo for Puerto Rico with better conditions, better care and treatment for different animals, better exhibits for different animals and an emphasis on edutainment and conservation! I’d love to see better zoos come to Puerto Rico!

@martinejustice6416 4 ай бұрын

How can anyone abandon these beautiful & majestic animals? These people took charge and saved these poor maltreated animals - there are no words that can describe how selfless & angelic they are. Thank you from an embarrassed US citizen.

@crystalheart9 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for saving these helpless animals that have been so poorly treated.

@courtney76r 4 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for saving and helping these beautiful creatures! So thankful there are still good people in the world 😊

@latyshal.2286 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for rescuing those innocent animals. ❤ I hope the rest of their lives is the best of their lives. God blessed you all. ❤

@lysachizmadia9255 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for this report. I was wondering what happened to the animals after Maria. I could smell the death driving to work every day after Maria. It's nice to hear that the survivors got more humane accommodations. PS FYI Mayagüez = Mayagwez not Mayaghez

@stephn987 4 ай бұрын

This made me cry. How can people be so cruel, I’ll never understand! Thankfully for every mean person there’s people like Pat and his crew ! You guys are amazing! When I win the lottery I know who my first donation will go to ❤

@kbraxton45 4 ай бұрын

Great man ~ Thank You and everyone that assisted these beautiful animals 💗

@jimk8520 4 ай бұрын

Thank you, Pat!

@SkyeRangerNick 4 ай бұрын

Humanity must say no to such atrocity. That such suffering occurs, here or anywhere is devastating. We must catch these conditions before they arise. For all of Nature. For all of Humanity.

@SkyeRangerNick 4 ай бұрын

It is rough to see this; it is rough to do the work. We know that around the world, more rescues are needed.

@Kelli78 4 ай бұрын

Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you ❤

@traceylewin772 4 ай бұрын

Wow,my heart broke😪how amazing 🎉you are. THANK YOU, I'M GOING TO GO find out how I'll support you ❤

@georgefoord7087 4 ай бұрын

that is amazing, well done Pat and his team

@dinomation 4 ай бұрын

Nice to know that there’s still kind people who care for these animals in the world.

@mayramarrero1218 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for rescuing the animals, so happy to see that they are doing much better.

@joyfullone3968 4 ай бұрын

A beautiful true tale, thanks for helping them all!💕💕💕

@Muhdah1972 4 ай бұрын

Humans are always the problem these days when it concerns animals. Shame on the residents who wanted the animals to stay; where were they when the animals needed them? I feel for Puerto Rico because natural disasters are difficult to recover from, but they should have been glad to see help arrive for these animals.