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Cocoa, a pet goat from New York (2012)
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ALLISON JOYCE/ REUTERS
A zebra for tools, deer for money, pygmy goats for the cooking pot: these are shocking allegations that the authorities in the city of Chilpancingo in southern Mexico have made against a former zoo director in the city.
The man was released on January 12, according to the AP news agency and local media, citing the Ministry of the Environment.
The move came after a deer died at the local zoo.
When investigating the case, officials reportedly discovered that the animal was not properly cared for, stitched without anesthetic and had its antlers cut off.
They quickly realized that there was much more to the case.
Apparently, several animals in the zoo are said to have been sold and exchanged on the director's instructions: A zebra was given for tools that were said to have been necessary for repairs in the zoo, deer and Watusi cattle are said to have been sold to private individuals.
But apparently that's not all: the ousted boss is said to have killed four out of ten pygmy goats in the zoo for a banquet.
"These four animals were slaughtered and cooked on the zoo grounds and served as food at the end-of-year celebrations," said Fernando Ruiz Gutiérrez, director of wildlife at the Ministry of the Environment.
Reports did not indicate whether the man was formally charged.
sak/AP