Just one week after complaints were raised about cats invading the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, disturbing photos have surfaced on social media showing the animals dead from apparent poisoning at the same site.
The photos were posted on Wednesday night by the Animal Welfare Network (AWN) on their Facebook account.
Last week, while discussing the deplorable conditions of the Caroni Visitor Centre in a Guardian Media interview, several stakeholders complained about stray cats living at the site.
"Recently, the topic of cats at the Caroni Bird
Sanctuary has been trending locally. It seems that someone took it upon themselves to poison the cats," AWN wrote.
The accompanying photos showed at least ten dead cats and the corpse of one bird.
Describing the act of poisoning the animals as "absolutely inhumane," AWN also pointed out the dangers of using poison at a bird sanctuary.
"It is extremely irresponsible and the residual effects are dangerous. Animals such as caiman and vultures who feed on these poisoned carcasses are at risk of being poisoned as well.
The Caroni Bird Sanctuary is a thriving ecosystem and protected area. It is the home of the Scarlet Ibis and 20 endangered species. To use poison on the grounds of the sanctuary is a criminal act."
