Mexico City – Six Bengal tigers are among the 20 animals being sheltered at a zoo after they were found abandoned in cages on the outskirts of the southeastern city of Merida, Mexican authorities said.

Personnel from the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, or Profepa, also rescued four camels and seven baboons.

The animals, found "abandoned in temporary, transit cages, without food or water," are thought to belong to a circus, Profepa said in a statement. All of the animals were underweight and dehydrated, while the camels show scars and skin diseases, the tigers are missing claws and teeth and the baboons are suffering from rickets.

A tip from the public alerted Profepa to the abandoned animals.

Profepa turned to El Centenario Zoo for help with the rescue and the zoo has taken temporary charge of the animals.

"Only once all the proper investigations are completed will there be a decision on the future home for these animals," Profepa said.

Mexico enacted late last year a law prohibiting the use of lions, elephants, primates and other non-domesticated animals in circuses, with large fines for violators.