On Thursday, July 2, 2026, Mexico’s Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) confirmed the death of Kenzo, the white Bengal tiger that escaped a few days ago in Tepetlaoxtoc.

The tiger was found that morning in a remote area of the municipality. Unfortunately, Kenzo died during rescue efforts.

Before the tiger was located, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) clarified that Kenzo did not escape from a government-operated facility. Instead, he fled from a private wildlife management site known as a PIMVS (Predio o Instalación que Maneja Vida Silvestre fuera de su Hábitat Natural).

Semarnat emphasized that these private establishments are responsible for securely confining animals and ensuring the safety of both wildlife and the surrounding communities.

This incident highlights ongoing challenges in balancing wildlife protection with public safety, especially when private entities manage exotic species outside their natural habitats.