Environmental authorities rescued 12 horses showing signs of neglect, malnutrition, and injury on Tuesday at a Tulum tour park, ordering the establishment closed in a horse rescue prompted by an anonymous cruelty complaint.
The animals were used for guided tourist rides at Adrenaline Tours, a park in the jungle zone of the Tulum municipality. Authorities removed all 12 horses and moved them to a specialized center for veterinary care.
The case puts a working tour operation at the center of an animal cruelty investigation in a destination that markets jungle and horseback experiences to international visitors. It also raises questions about how the animals used in those activities are monitored.
What inspectors found at the Tulum tour park
According to the official report, the horses were kept in inadequate conditions, without enough access to water or food, and showed several health problems.
Inspectors documented that the animals had no horseshoes and that at least four showed visible injuries. All of the horses presented varying degrees of malnutrition along with a heavy tick infestation, the report stated.
After confirming the conditions, authorities secured the animals and transferred them to a specialized facility, where they will receive veterinary attention, medical evaluation, and the care needed for their recovery.
The complaint that prompted the Tulum horse rescue
The intervention followed an anonymous complaint that circulated publicly and alerted authorities to possible acts of cruelty inside the establishment, where the horses were used for tourist routes.
The complaint alleged that some horses had reportedly died because of the conditions in which they were kept. That claim has not been confirmed by authorities.
"They use them for tours and they really are in bad shape. Several horses have already died there. The poor animals do not get the care they need," part of the anonymous report stated.
According to the same account, the horses in better physical condition were used for the rides, while injured or weakened animals were kept confined in the stable, where inspectors found them during the visit.
Park closed while the investigation continues
As a result of the inspection, authorities ordered the tour park closed while they work to assign responsibility and determine possible sanctions tied to the conditions they detected.
So far, environmental authorities have not said whether they will open administrative proceedings or file criminal complaints against those responsible for the establishment. They stated that the investigation continues to determine the appropriate legal actions.
What animal cruelty can mean under Quintana Roo law
Animal cruelty in Quintana Roo can carry penalties under the state Penal Code and various municipal and environmental rules, especially when there is cruelty, negligence, or exploitation that harms an animal's health.
In April, the state congress approved a reform to the Penal Code, with changes to articles 179 Bis and 179 Ter, aimed at increasing the penalties for those who commit acts of violence against animals. Whether that framework applies here will depend on what the investigation concludes.
Public reaction in Tulum
The case has drawn anger from residents and animal rights groups, who had asked authorities to step in after images and testimonies about the horses' conditions spread online.
Residents and people familiar with the operation also said that some visitors had chosen to get off the horses during rides once they noticed the animals' physical state.
For now, the horses remain in professional care while their recovery is assessed. The consequences for the operator, if any, will hinge on what the investigation finds.
Should tour operators in Tulum face stricter oversight of the animals used in their activities? Join the conversation and share your perspective with us on Instagram and Facebook at @thetulumtimes.