Tiger Kenzo killed by gunshot during capture in State of Mexico

Kenzo, a two‑year‑old male Bengal tiger weighing about 116 kg, escaped from the private Animal Experience facility in the State of Mexico in late June. After four days of wandering, authorities located the animal on 2 July in the municipality of Tepetlaoxtoc and launched a capture operation involving environmental police, civil protection and veterinary staff.

During the attempt the tiger attacked a veterinarian, prompting a security officer to fire his weapon. A UNAM pathology report confirmed that Kenzo died from bronchoaspiration of blood caused by severe hemorrhage after a bullet entered through the right upper eyelid and traversed the soft palate. The necropsy also recorded other gun‑shot injuries, a chip‑site wound and an 11‑cm laceration on the tail. The preliminary findings were released by SEMARNAT and PROFEPA, and the case has spurred investigations into wildlife‑handling protocols and a temporary closure of the facility.

"El proyectil penetró por la región del párpado superior derecho y continuó su trayecto atravesando el paladar blando," the report quoted.