Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo facts for kids
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| Date opened | 1954 |
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| Date closed | 2017 |
| Location | Miradero barrio Mayagüez, Puerto Rico |
| Land area | 45 acres (18 ha) |
| Coordinates | 18°12′58″N 67°07′59″W / 18.216205°N 67.133085°W |
| No. of species | 75 |
| Website | National Parks website |
The Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo, sometimes called the Mayagüez Zoo, is a large zoo located in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. It covers about 45 acres. This makes it the biggest zoo on the island. The zoo is named after Juan A. Rivero, who was its first director. It used to have many animals from all over the world.
The zoo has been closed to visitors since Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in September 2017. Even though it's closed, workers still care for the animals. In 2019, two healthy lion cubs were born at the zoo.
Contents
History of the Zoo
The Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo first opened its doors in 1954. A lawmaker named Benjamin Cole helped create the law that started the zoo.
Zoo Upgrades and New Animals
Around 2003, the zoo got some big improvements. New areas were added for birds, insects, and butterflies. In March 2008, the zoo welcomed two new giraffes and two desert warthogs. These animals came all the way from Ohio and Louisiana to join the zoo's African animal collection.
However, starting in 2014, Puerto Rico faced money problems. This made it hard for the zoo to keep up with maintenance and animal care.
Zoo Closure and Animal Care Concerns
After Hurricane Maria in September 2017, the zoo had to close to the public. Even though it was closed, animals still lived there. Zoo workers continued to look after them. As mentioned, two lion cubs were born in 2019.
The zoo also faced issues with its animal care standards. The United States Department of Agriculture looked into how the zoo was run. Because the zoo did not meet certain animal care rules, its federal permits were not renewed. This meant the zoo could not operate as it used to.
Helping Animals: Conservation Programs
The zoo is dedicated to helping animals, especially those that are in danger of disappearing. It has special programs to protect these species:
- Puerto Rican crested toad
- Paloma sabanera (plain pigeon)
- Andean condor
What the Zoo Had
Before it closed to the public, the Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo had many different areas for visitors to enjoy. These included:
- Places for fun and relaxation
- A shop to buy souvenirs
- A museum
- An aviary, which is a large enclosure for birds
- Exhibits for mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians
- An arthropodary, which is a place for insects and other arthropods
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Adopt an Animal Program
The Dr. Rivero Zoo started an "adoption" program. This program lets people help with animal conservation. You can "adopt" one of the zoo's animals. Your donation helps support efforts to protect animals and their habitats.
See also
In Spanish: Zoológico Dr._Juan A. Rivero para niños
