Closed in 2020 for failing to comply with basic animal welfare standards, the Luján Zoo continues to be a scene of abandonment and deterioration. Although the public visit was interrupted five years ago, around 90 animals remain locked up on the premises, many in precarious conditions and without specialized care.
In recent days, the Argentine government and the international organization Four Paws signed an agreement to begin rescue operations. This is a long-awaited intervention that could put an end to a period of negligence and systematic abuse.
The main objective of the agreement is to review the health of each specimen and plan their transfer to safe places. Among the most urgent cases are a chimpanzee, two bears, and several large big cats that require immediate assistance. The situation is worsened by the death of a third of the big cats since the closure, many due to preventable diseases.
For years, the premises remained inactive, without a contingency plan. The animals were maintained at the expense of the owners, following the dismissal of staff and the interruption of state support. This lack of effective responses turned the former zoo into a dead-end prison for wild species.
A Necessary Rescue and an Outstanding Debt
The operations promoted by Four Paws will start in the coming months, but it is anticipated that the relocation will be gradual. Many animals require prolonged treatments before they can be transferred to a sanctuary. The process also includes a judicial evaluation of the premises, currently under investigation for animal abuse.
The federal justice system reopened the case against the responsible parties of the zoo, understanding that the crime continues as long as the animals remain confined. The decision is based on legal precedents that recognize animals as sensitive beings and subjects of rights.
This new approach promotes the definitive closure of institutions that profit from animal suffering. The Buenos Aires Ombudsman insists that all zoos in the country should be transformed into spaces that prioritize conservation and animal welfare.
Consequences of Abandonment and Possible Paths
The consequences of prolonged abandonment are serious. Many of the animals present physical and emotional health issues. Confinement in inadequate environments, lack of stimuli, and poor nutrition cause chronic stress, apathy, muscle loss, and even behavioral disorders.
Each species requires a specific veterinary assessment. Big cats need spacious enclosures and balanced diets; primates require constant stimulation and socialization. In many cases, the damage is not easily reversible and demands lifelong care in specialized sanctuaries.
Reintegration into nature is extremely limited. Most specimens would not survive on their own. Without hunting skills or functional social behaviors, they depend on human assistance to live in protected environments. Therefore, transfer to sanctuaries—where they can regain some of their freedom—becomes the only ethical alternative.
The case of the Luján Zoo reflects an outstanding debt with captured animals. The possibility of closing this chapter depends on an effective intervention, sustained over time, that ensures each specimen a dignified fate. This is not just a legal or political matter, but a moral responsibility.
