UMA Citlaltépetl faces scrutiny over tiger welfare and management

Concerns regarding animal welfare have intensified at the UMA Citlaltépetl facility in Orizaba following reports of a Bengal tiger with a visibly inflamed front paw. This incident follows the deaths of two other tigers, Toño and Tímida.

Citizens have called for an immediate audit by Mayor Hugo Chahín Kuri and a professional review of the facility's conditions. Concerns have been raised following the departure of specialized wildlife veterinarian Rafael Torres Cabrera in February. Local residents are demanding that all injuries, treatments, and deaths be documented with scientific evidence.

Simultaneously, Brenda Abaroa Ortiz, the coordinator of the UMA, is reportedly seeking official recognition from the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) as the technical manager. Under the General Law of Wildlife, such a role requires documented proof of technical capacity and a minimum of two years of experience in wildlife management. The legitimacy of her credentials is being questioned amid ongoing transparency issues regarding the clinical records and veterinary care provided to the deceased tiger, Tímida.