Kenzo the white Bengal tiger killed after police shooting in Mexico

Kenzo, a three‑year‑old white Bengal tiger, escaped from the private Animal Experience facility in Tepetlaoxtoc, State of Mexico, on 27 June 2026. The animal roamed the surrounding area for five days, prompting local authorities, including mayor Diana Morales, to issue public alerts and deploy a coordinated search with civil protection, canine units and thermal drones.

On 2 July, a capture team attempted to sedate the tiger with a tranquilizer dart, but Kenzo attacked the officers. A police officer then fired his service weapon, using small‑caliber .22 and .38 rounds, to stop the animal. The tiger later died from the gunshot wounds. Officials from the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) have completed a necropsy, with preliminary results expected soon. The autopsy will determine whether the death resulted primarily from the bullet impact, a possible overdose of tranquilizer, or a combination of factors, and will assess compliance with Mexican wildlife‑handling regulations. The incident has sparked national debate over exotic animal captivity, the adequacy of emergency protocols, and the legal responsibilities of municipal police in wildlife incidents.