An employee gives papaya to an Andean bear at the Paraguana zoo in Punto Fijo, Venezuela on July 22, 2016.
Venezuelans are suffering in many ways right now.
A severe economic crisis in the country has led to massive inflation and major shortages of food, medicine, and other essentials.
Like the people, zoo animals are also going hungry, says Marlene Sifontes, a union leader for the National Park Institute Inparques Project.
"The story of the animals at Caricuao [Zoo in Caracas] is a metaphor for Venezuelan suffering," she said.
Sifontes told Reuters that some animals at Caricuao have not eaten for two weeks. The fatalities so far include Vietnamese pigs, tapirs, rabbits and birds. At least 50 zoo animals have starved to death in recent months.
Here are some of the animals getting by in the midst of serious shortages.
Sleeping lion
Hungry jaguar
Caged bear
Monkey business
A few donations
Check out Reuters' video about the food shortages in Venezuela's zoos here.
Venezuelans are suffering in many ways right now.
A severe economic crisis in the country has led to massive inflation and major shortages of food, medicine, and other essentials.
Like the people, zoo animals are also going hungry, says Marlene Sifontes, a union leader for the National Park Institute Inparques Project.
"The story of the animals at Caricuao [Zoo in Caracas] is a metaphor for Venezuelan suffering," she said.
Sifontes told Reuters that some animals at Caricuao have not eaten for two weeks. The fatalities so far include Vietnamese pigs, tapirs, rabbits and birds. At least 50 zoo animals have starved to death in recent months.
Here are some of the animals getting by in the midst of serious shortages.
Sleeping lion
Hungry jaguar
Caged bear
Monkey business
A few donations
Check out Reuters' video about the food shortages in Venezuela's zoos here.