DRNA reports 169 boa constrictors at Arecibo rehabilitation center
The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources says recent operations by its Vigilantes Corps have substantially increased the number of exotic animals housed at the facility in Bosque Cambalache.
PhotoThe short version
- El Nuevo Día reported the DRNA captured 169 boa constrictors between Sept. 2 and Oct. 18 that remain at the center
- El Vocero reported the agency captured over 150 boa constrictors in that period and that the center housed 169 as of Oct. 19
- The center also holds 34 aquatic turtles, 19 parrots, 24 pigeons of four species, 12 rhesus monkeys and other exotic animals according to all three outlets
- DRNA Secretary Waldemar Quiles attributed the increase to frequent capture operations by the Cuerpo de Vigilantes
Recent captures increase inventory
The Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales (DRNA) has reported a significant increase in the number of exotic animals at its Centro de Rehabilitación de Especies Nativas y Manejo de Especies Exóticas de Puerto Rico in Bosque Cambalache, Arecibo. El Nuevo Día reported that 169 boa constrictors captured between Sept. 2 and Oct. 18 remain at the facility. El Vocero reported the agency captured over 150 boa constrictors in the same period and that the center housed 169 specimens as of Oct. 19. Primera Hora reported that the center has 169 boa constrictors captured since Sept. 2.
DRNA Secretary Waldemar Quiles said in a written statement that members of the Cuerpo de Vigilantes continue to address the issue of exotic species, both native and invasive, with frequent capture operations that have substantially increased the inventory in recent weeks. The center also houses 34 aquatic turtles, 19 cotorras, 24 pigeons of four species, 12 rhesus monkeys, four patas monkeys, one ground hedgehog, two macaws, five land turtles, nine caimans, one tegu lizard, nine ball pythons and one native boa, according to the three reports.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Somos más que un centro que alberga animales, ahora somos una facilidad que busca restaurar especies en pobre estado de salud para devolverlas a su hábitat natural
Our translation: We are more than a center that houses animals, now we are a facility that seeks to restore species in poor health to return them to their natural habitat
The source's own statement, as quoted by El Nuevo Día. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Expanded mission includes native species
The center was created in 2003 to handle the rise in exotic and invasive species in Puerto Rico by capturing and holding them until transfer to facilities in U.S. states could be arranged. In September 2025, Secretary Quiles expanded its mission to include rehabilitation and care of native species. Lieutenant Ángel Atienza, director of the center and a Cuerpo de Vigilantes officer, said the change allows the facility to restore animals in poor health for return to their natural habitat.
Currently three animals are under recovery protocols: one múcaro, one native boa and one Puerto Rican runner snake. Quiles thanked the Cuerpo de Vigilantes and center staff for their work. Atienza stated that the center is now more than a place that houses animals.
Where the sources differ
All three sources agree the center in Arecibo now holds 169 boa constrictors and list the same additional animals. El Nuevo Día attributes the exact figure of 169 to DRNA information on captures from Sept. 2 to Oct. 18. El Vocero reports over 150 captured in that window and 169 housed as of Oct. 19. Primera Hora states the center has 169 boas captured since Sept. 2. All attribute statements on operations and the mission change to Secretary Waldemar Quiles and Lt. Ángel Atienza, with nearly identical wording on the center's new role and conservation culture.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state how many of the 169 boas were captured in each specific operation, the current total capacity of the center, whether any animals have been transferred to U.S. facilities or released, the precise locations of the captures on the island, or any planned next steps for the growing inventory beyond continued operations.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official DRNA captura 169 boas constrictoras en menos de dos meses
- Reporting DRNA captura 169 boas constrictoras en menos de dos meses
- Reporting DRNA reporta la captura de 169 boas constrictoras en 45 días
- Reporting Lleno de boas constrictoras el Centro de Rehabilitación del DRNA en Arecibo
How we checked this
El Nuevo Día, El Vocero and Primera Hora all reported the DRNA announcement on the same day with overlapping details drawn from the same written statements by Secretary Waldemar Quiles and Lt. Ángel Atienza. The exact capture versus housing numbers rest on how each outlet summarized the agency communiqué.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.