Over 100 animals in captivity have been rescued from an overcrowded private zoo in Mexico that is owned by a conservative congressman.

After receiving numerous complaints from the zoo’s visitors, environmental officials raided the zoo and took possession of 101 of the 240 animals that were being held at the zoo, the BBC reports. A list of some of the rescued animals includes lions, tigers, jaguars, pumas, bears, buffalo and camels.

What the officials found when they arrived at the premises was a state of dangerous disorder wherein overcrowded cages were piled atop one another. The investigating officials stated that the animals were being kept in deplorable conditions and were lacking in proper care. According to the officials, the cages did not have proper ventilation and the animals were cramped together, which resulted in making them aggressive.

Regarding the recently rescued zoo animals, the officials said they would try to find suitable new homes for them.

Aside from the danger to the caged animals, the conditions for visitors were unsafe as well. The officials went on the say that general visitors to the zoo were not properly protected, and in fact could easily stick their hands right into the cages.

The zoo, which is owned by Sergio Gomez, a member of Congress for the National Action Party (Pan), is located in Tehuacan, which is about 120 miles southeast of Mexico City.

The complaints from the zoo visitors comes at the perfect time as Mexicans legislators have recently passed a series of laws designed to minimize the mistreatment of animals. Mexico City, along with six other states, have gone so far as to ban the use of animals in circuses, and the federal congress voted in December to do the same across the nation.

Regarding the recently rescued Zoo animals, the officials said they would try to find suitable new homes for them.

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