Mexico is considering reducing the protected area for endangered vaquita porpoises after a fisherman’s death led to accusations that the government cares more about marine animals than its own citizens. An estimated 10 vaquitas are left in the world, residing in the northern Gulf of California or Sea or Cortez. The government’s most recent analysis…
An investigation into a program meant to preserve Mexico’s forests shows how good intentions can result in unintended consequences. Dozens of saplings grow scattered around charred tree stumps in the hills of Yucatán and Campeche, thanks to Mexico’s vast reforestation program, Sembrando Vida, or Sowing Life. But so too is the burned-out clearing. In this part…
Mexico’s Secretariat of the Navy has canceled shooting practice on a preserve north of Isla Mujeres amid rising opposition against the plan. The Fifth Naval Region had indicated that nearly two weeks of exercises were scheduled on Isla Contoy starting Tuesday. Ch’ooja Ajauil AC and fishing cooperatives in the area complained that shooting ammunition at…
Yucatán has announced a statewide polystyrene ban effective June 19. The news comes on the heels of similar measures taken in December, intended to eliminate the use of plastic straws and some types of plastic bags. Harry Rodríguez Botello Fierro, Yucatán’s ecology commissioner, highlighted the importance of the polystyrene ban and suggested that the state…
Some of Yucatán’s treasured cenotes continue to be a dumping ground, the divers and volunteers who clean them can attest. Cenotes are deep natural wells fed by groundwater, which make for popular swimming spots amongst locals and tourists. They are also easily accessible sources of water for remote communities. “We have been extremely active in…
Despite the city’s efforts, stray animals are visible all over Merida’s streets. Photo: File
Mérida is chosen — with Montreal and Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula — to spearhead a new initiative to reduce food waste. North America’s Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) estimates that every year the USA, Canada and Mexico waste a combined 168 million tons of food. The CEC campaign encourages education and offers materials through its…
Residents of Mérida have reported locusts in Fraccionamiento Los Héroes. Known for their ability to reproduce and migrate extremely quickly, locusts are a species of grasshopper known for destroying crops and any vegetation when present in large numbers. The swarm in question seems to be relatively small and has only been spotted in the west…
Leydy Pech, a 55-year-old apiculturist from Campeche, has won a historic legal victory against corporate giant Monsanto. Mexico’s supreme court ruled in favor of Pech — also known as the “bee lady” — who argued that genetically modified soybean crops were adversely affecting the livelihoods of indigenous peoples and the ecosystem of southern Mexico. The court also…
Traffickers tried to steal six pink flamingos, packed into three wooden boxes found later at the Merida airport, authorities told local media. Five of the iconic, endangered species were rescued but were suffering from dehydration. One died during the ordeal. Their wings were also clipped, authorities said. Personnel from the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection…
Construction rules in Merida’s north, where developers have been building malls and housing developments in the past several decades, will have to be re-written to address the realities of a shallow water table and inevitable climate change, experts said. Record rainfall has left newer housing developments flooded and anything built underground — like underpasses and…
The yellow-green butterflies have exited stage left. Now the black witch moths have entered in their place. Dubbed locally as the “mariposa de la muerte” or “butterfly of death,” the Majanás are moths that have begun to appear across Yucatan, carrying with them a bit of local lore. Many think their appearance is ominous, perhaps even…
Greenpeace Mexico has openly questioned an environmental award accepted by a pork processing conglomerate in Yucatan. The Yucatecan Entrepreneurship Foundation (Feyac) recognized Grupo Porcícola Mexicana — also known as Kekén — as a “socially responsible” company. But Greenpeace denounced the company for being at odds with Mayan communities whose sacred lands gave way to their environmentally…
Mexico is far off track from its laws setting targets of 30% renewable energy generation by 2021, and 35% by 2024. The actions of the Lopez Obrador administration have only worsened prospects, taking multiple steps backward by pledging to construct a new oil refinery and promising to modernize several power plants that run on coal,…
A US$130 million wind park on the Yucatan coast will begin testing this week despite a policy from Mexico’s grid operator that would have halted operations there. “We will soon begin trials at the park, and with the encouragement that it will deliver power to the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) as quickly as possible,” Vive…
Sea turtle eggs on a beach at Chuburná Puerto were found trampled, crushed and then burned in a bonfire, local media reported. The destroyed turtle nest was near the site of a violent spat that erupted when two environmentalists confronted a group of litterers. Every year, during the turtles’ nesting season, efforts to protect nesting…
Two environmentalists were physically and verbally attacked by litterers on the beach at Chuburná, according to local media. Liliana Z. and Dorian R. told Reporters Hoy that a group of beachgoers was angered after being told to pick up beer cans and other trash left on the sand. The incident was reported at 6 p.m….
Not every tree was chopped down when a modest green space was cleared at the Merida Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport. A huge, decades-old ceiba tree, considered sacred in Maya culture, was transplanted elsewhere at the complex. Transplanting mature trees is difficult and not guaranteed to save the life of the tree, but the company charged with…
Small lemon-yellow, yellow-green and reddish-orange butterflies are appearing in unusually high numbers, possibly due to Yucatan’s rainy spell. We are witnessing a once-yearly migration that is not always noticeable, according to Mariposas Evenus, a Merida company that breeds and exhibits butterflies. Numerous species of butterflies could be observed in different parts of the state and…
A tigrillo was found dead at the entrance of the Yucatan Country Club, more evidence that wildlife is venturing into territory where people are less frequently found. Apparently run over by a car, the little ocelot was moved to the side of the road to prevent more vehicles from hitting it. Biologists from Marist University informed…
Beekeepers in Yucatan, whose livelihood was decimated by drought, and then Tropical Storm Cristobal, were given 500 queen bees to restart honey production. The state’s support will allow local Maya producers to continue cultivating bees they managed to save from the storm and floods, said José Ramón Glory Morales, who is in charge of the…
More than a week after Tropical Storm Cristobal passed through, displaced crocodiles are emerging into public view. The danger isn’t always for people. One was nearly roadkill on the highway that connects the municipality of Dzemul with the archaeological zone of Xcambó. A passerby helped him to safety, using a board to coax him the…
Santa Elena, Yucatan — Four members of a Ticul family were arrested Saturday afternoon in southern Yucatan after they were discovered transporting a dead ocelot. The remains of an endangered wild jungle cat was discovered during a routine SSP road check, local media reported. The subjects could not explain to authorities why an ocelot’s carcass was…
Two cargo boxes, each containing an Australian black swan, were intercepted in the cargo area of the Merida International Airport, local media reported today. The National Guard intervened when the birds, bound for Mexico City, were determined to be illegal cargo because of missing documentation. Authorities discovered the discrepancy with cooperation from Profepa, the Federal…
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