Puma Crossing Maya Train Tracks Stirs Wildlife Controversy

A video recently circulated on social media showing a puma precariously crossing the tracks of Section 5 of the Maya Train in Quintana Roo. The footage has sparked controversy among environmentalists, who argue that no wildlife passages have been built along the train route. Instead, they claim, ineffective transverse drains have been constructed.

The sighting of the puma has heightened concerns about the potential risk to local wildlife, including endangered species. The Maya Train project, a major initiative under the current government, continues to progress. Despite ongoing construction works, the Chetumal – Palenque section, inaugurated by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, attracts numerous tourists and curious onlookers.

Previously, an environmentalist named Cristina reported sighting a jaguar near the train tracks. She later corrected her mistake, clarifying that the animal was in fact a puma, as identified by the Wildlife Center. Cristina expressed concern over the lack of wildlife passages. She cited that in the first eight months of the Maya Train's operation, at least six jaguars were hit after becoming trapped between the train and the road.

This issue came to light following a meeting between President López Obrador and his Guatemalan counterpart, Bernardo Arévalo de León. The two leaders discussed a range of topics, including security, migration, social support, and the expansion of the Maya Train. A joint statement from both nations emphasized their shared responsibility in combating transnational organized crime, with a focus on drug trafficking, smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal migration.

Additionally, President López Obrador revealed plans to consider infrastructure projects that could extend the Maya Train's reach to other countries, such as Guatemala. The Guatemalan government has expressed interest in these initiatives and is open to collaboration.

President López Obrador justified the project's expansion, explaining that the Maya culture spans not only Mexico but also Honduras, Guatemala, Chiapas, Campeche, and Quintana Roo.