Animal Rights Activists Win Battle for Benito’s Better Living Conditions, Moving Him to a Larger, Warmer Park

After months of campaigning, Benito the giraffe is finally set to leave his cramped, harsh enclosure in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, for a more spacious and suitable home. Following a sustained advocacy effort led by local animal rights group “We Are Your Voice,” the government of Chihuahua has confirmed plans to move Benito to Africam Safari in Puebla, located 1,250 miles south.

Benito arrived in Ciudad Juarez in May 2023, a young giraffe struggling with the extreme desert temperatures. As a 3-year-old, he was confined to a small enclosure with minimal shade, battling the harsh sun in the summer and chilling winds in the winter. Animal rights activist Ana Félix, who spearheaded the campaign, highlighted that the winter winds had significantly impacted Benito’s health, with gusts reaching 25 mph (40 kph) worsening his living conditions.

In response to the growing concern, the state government of Chihuahua stepped in, confirming the transfer to Africam Safari, a safari-style park where animals roam freely in large enclosures. Africam Safari had expressed readiness to welcome Benito, although the lengthy transfer process required extensive paperwork.

Félix, who had shared harrowing images of Benito crammed under a small canopy for shade, praised the move but noted it was long overdue. “The authorities finally took action, albeit late, but thankfully, it’s still in time for Benito,” she said.

At Ciudad Juarez’s Central Park, where Benito had been kept in a small, fenced space with limited trees and a lack of proper environmental enrichment, activists had pushed for better conditions. Although the park had made some improvements, such as building a larger sun canopy and cleaning a nearby pool, it was clear that the environment was unsuitable for the giraffe.

Benito’s relocation will not only improve his living conditions but also continue to raise awareness of the need to address the welfare of other animals in inadequate facilities. “We’re still fighting to get the rest of the animals out of that park. It’s not an appropriate place for any species,” Félix stated.

Benito’s presence in Ciudad Juarez had initially boosted visitor numbers at the park, especially among children, with monthly visits rising from 140,000 to 200,000. However, the long-term goal for activists is to ensure a better environment for all animals.