The Malta Animal Rights Coalition, made up of six animal protection non-government organisations, deplored plans by an Englishman, Paul Simonini, to create a zoo for 300 animals at Delimara.

Michael Pearson of World Animal Conscience, a member society of the coalition, said in reaction to a report in yesterday's The Times that "Dr Simonini will soon learn that the protests he will meet from Maltese animal protection and social activist organisations every step of the way will be unlike anything he can ever have imagined.

"To refer to a zoo as a 'haven for animal lovers' is to misunderstand what the views are of modern animal lovers in a civilised society," Mr Pearson said.

Zoos no longer have a place in society; they are freak shows from the past, and along with circuses are becoming less and less popular.

All the major international animal protection organisations agree that wildlife belongs in its natural habitat and all efforts must be made to protect these species in their own environment.

Mr Pearson said that if Dr Simonini genuinely has an interest in conservation and has surplus funds he can donate them to organisations doing work in this area.

To call bringing 300 animals to such an unsuitable environment "educational and conservational" is a cover for what appears to be a badly thought out business venture, Mr Pearson said.

The financial failure of the last circus to visit Malta was as much due to the absence of children wishing to see animals in captivity and performing as the awareness and protests raised by campaigners. The children will not support this zoo, in fact is difficult to imagine who would visit it.

Mr Pearson added the notion that the EU would provide funds for new zoos is ludicrous.

He also called upon all people who object to the possibility of a zoo in Malta to make their views known to their MPs, MEPA, the media and Dr Simonini.

The six NGOs are Catcare Association, Island Sanctuary, Nature Trust, IAR (Malta), Gozo Animal Sanctuary Association and World Animal Conscience.