MEPA gives green light for Mosta tiger

C. Muscat

Oct 19th 2009, 16:12

@ louis Borg- you are so lucky of being able to go and play with this wonderful creature whenever you feel like...if i had the money i would probably do the same thing your son did! to all those who have nothing to do except from always critisising other ppl...try to live ur only one life you have the way u want and let others do the same...better be afraid of the 'human' creatures who live amongst us ..than of a poor creature that doesn't want anything more than to be loved and taken well care of!! A big well done goes to d owner.

victor vella

Oct 18th 2009, 15:51

The tiger is captive bred, it is being treated like a queen. does anyone think that unless disturbed this animal would turn against humans? let mr Borg enjoy his pet.I prefer to meet a tiger then a human with ill intent anytime.

Marica Cooper

Oct 18th 2009, 11:39

Dear Mr J Vella,
Still no answer to my questions i see1 Let me remind all readers that some months ago a family of Italian tourists tried to bring their kitten with them on holiday to Malta, The Times reported that they 'were caught trying to smuggle in a pet kitten on an airmalta plane' now if a tiny kitten was spotted boarding a plane then how come a TIGER CUB was not?? Answer me please.

Alfred Camenzuli

Oct 18th 2009, 11:05

I hope that when the owner decide to go on holiday do not let the tiger go out on its own like others do with dogs and cats....

J.Bonnici

Oct 18th 2009, 09:19

One day this tiger will give its owner an unexpected surprise.

Carmel J Caruana

Oct 18th 2009, 05:05

The tiger it seems came from the Slovak Republic. A few months ago I was walking in the Slovak mountains and people told me to be careful as there were reports that an adult tiger had escaped from a local circus. Can you imagine the consequences if this tiger were to escape as an adult. This country is too small for such animals to be in private hands. I am not sure i would trust a public entity either.

M.Debono

Oct 17th 2009, 23:20

We are here talking about a tiger not a kitty!! Difference? Habits and SIZE basically! Be sure that any movement it will make when fully-grown will be potentially dangerous to humans. If it escapes - and there is a good chance this happens at least once in its lifetime - well, I surely wouldn't like to find this biggest of cats in front of me!!! As even the most domesticated of cats usually don't like strangers - let alone a tiger!!!!!!!!!

F.Bonello

Oct 17th 2009, 20:01

I saw the News on National Malta TV (TVM), the owners playing with this gentle tiger. So gentle that they were punching her in her face....how sweet!! So this is as she is still a cub.
Wonder when this cub grows how they will be able to play with her....and how will she??
Imagine a WILD CAT built to hunt and eat raw meat. I wonder??

Jos Vella

Oct 17th 2009, 19:27

@Marica Cooper
I hope you were following the story from the beginning! or you have read it and understood nothing!
The fact that this story hit the headlines and Mepa investigated clearly shows that the authorities, at least Mepa was not consulted.
The reason why Louis Borg kept the tiger while investigations were taking place was also explained in the original story, being that the Tiger was being held in a comfortable environment (airconditioned rooms) and in optimum state of health.
If one day I find a tiger roaming in the streets I would know who it belongs to, unlike other reptiles such as cobras, other reptiles , taranthulas which are held as pets in houses around Malta and which might soon become pests! Afterall there is no such animal who at some stage cannot be a threat to humanity, be it a dog! a cat! a horse! paedophiles! criminals! drug trafficker! terrorists!...ooopsss i am now mentioning humans as a threat.
By the way I was lucky enough to encounter and touched a tiger in Thailand. it was adorable.

@Louis Borg, you really have a nice pet. I am sure it will become a majestic tiger when it grows.

Stephen Florian

Oct 17th 2009, 19:23

Beautiful picture. Long live the Bengal Tiger. God bless her.

Marica Cooper

Oct 17th 2009, 16:13

Dear Mr Louis Borg,

Can you please answer this questions for us:

Did the Tiger stay in quarantine in Malta or not?? YES OR NO
How did you bring into Malta?? Explain how no one at the Airport noticed a tiger cub on the plane please.

How did you manage to keep hold of the cub whilst MEPA investigations were going on??
Frankly who cares what this tiger cost you, that's YOUR business, What interests most of us is HOW did you get it in Malta and did you go through the proper legal channels to do so??

Marika Brincat

Oct 17th 2009, 15:10

Ijja xi haga tal misthija li f'dan il pajjiz issib il pubblicita il mohqrija bil pulit tal animali u li hawn nies li kapaci jghidu xi hlewwa ghal ghatti bhal dawn. Ijja hafna iktar tal misthija li xi haga bhal din qed issir bil benedizzjoni ta l istat. Annimal li l istint tieghu huwa li jfittex il liberta, joqtol biex jitma lilu innifsu u jdur go spazju bla limitu qed jinzam go gagga, kamra jew villa (li ghalih tiqa toqba) u jiekol it tigieg min ghand censu tal laham. BUFFUNATA.....l unika kelma ghalija. u jekk is-sinjur li gaba irid ibellaghha lil xi hadd li jhobba jaqbada kif ghada fic-cans u johoda fejn hu posta. Min vera jhobb l annimali ifittex li jzommom fl istat naturali taghhom. Dak li qed isehh m hu xejn flieh att egoist u mhux imhabba ghal annimal. Jekk irridu nhobbu annimal li vera ghandu bzonn nigbru kelb jew qattus mill-elf li hawn jigru barra u jaqilaw id daqqiet tal-karozzi.

L Aquilina

Oct 17th 2009, 14:31

Poor tiger.. is it love of this exotic creature that motivated its acquisition or the idea that subsequent breeding will make its owner/s financally better off? And if this eventually happens, as stated by the owner himself during a TV interview, how will it be controlled? Who will be keeping an eye on births, distribution, and their conditions and quality of life, MEPA? Sincerely hope this is not the start of a new expensive toy for Christmas.

Kevin Grech

Oct 17th 2009, 14:17

The tiger seems to be in perfect hands, people who love animals and got enough funds to care for it. If it is left in the wild it will not last an hour as the hunters will quickly shift their target . It is surely not a threat to anyone in its current home. Leave this guy alone..... there are so many other things at risk that need your attention..
I envy this family...
Keep it up

Marica Cooper

Oct 17th 2009, 14:10

No one has answered the important questions - How did this tiger cub come into Malta and did it stay for the prescribed period of quarantine in Malta? When we brought in our beloved cats they had to stay in quarantine for 6 months because it was not from a EU country and yet this tiger 's owner seems to be able to do what he wants and no body wants to admit they made a mistake somewhere.

Joe Morana

Oct 17th 2009, 13:13

Maltese sustainable town planning. First the planing authories 'permit' that Malta becomes a conrete jungle and subdequently tray to turn urban Malta into a zoo or is it perhaps a circus?!

E. Azzopardi

Oct 17th 2009, 07:48

What is happening to this country? This is very wrong. A very dangerous precedent indeed. We shall regret this. How shortsighted can we be.
But then, what does MEPA know about wild animals? Because whatever is said, it has wild instincts.

Louis Borg

Oct 17th 2009, 07:39

May I start from the last comment of Mr. Robert Arrigo. May I assure this gentleman, that the tiger was not bought for attention. On the contrary, that was the last thing we wanted. There are many more cheaper things,that you can do to attract attention. Regarding security, I can assure everyone that it's impossible for this tiger escape. We know a lot of things about tigers. We have been advised by the best expert handlers in Europe, who came to Malta personally, to inspect the premises, and see that it's 100% safe. The use of passports is not solely for travelling, it's also, a means of identification, so rest your mind Mr. Arrigo, that you are going to find a Bengal Tiger sitting next to you on a flight.

Emma Xerri

Oct 17th 2009, 06:23

Tigers, in my opinion are one of the most beautiful of animals on earth.
Sadly, we stand a chance to lose them as they are one of the most endangered species.

Ideally, they should be in their natural habitat and left in the wild. However, if this cub was not brought up in the wild, as explained in the article, it can never be successfully re-introduced to the jungle where it belongs. So, then the best option is to have a caring and loving owner like I am sure this tiger baby has, where it will be cared for and loved for all its life. And I am sure that Malta's climate will be just fine for the tiger too.

And for those of you who wish that you too could have a beautiful tiger of your own, I urge you to look around and see the beautiful felines that abound in Malta. The domestic cat is an exact miniature replica of the tiger. Give them a home, your care and love, and it will be returned to you a hundred-fold.

Remember that “God made the cat so that man might have the pleasure of caressing the tiger”

Alfred Baldacchino

Oct 17th 2009, 00:55

Monks in Thailand rear domesticated tigers. Tourists pay a small fee to be
photographed next to them.
But still they are fed cooked meat in order to put them off the taste of blood.

alfred vella

Oct 16th 2009, 22:43

I always thought tigers live in the wild. So now it;s legal to keep them in captivity according to mepa. Was someone from animal rights movement present when mepa board discussed and decided the issue?

Alison Natalie Keeler

Oct 16th 2009, 21:24

@ Louis Borg (tiger owner's parent)

Just one further comment on this absurd story.

Having noticed your contribution on here, perhaps you or your son could answer the question many of us are longing to know the answer to... namely, why does he need to own a tiger?

Carmel Serracino-Inglott

Oct 16th 2009, 20:35

I wish that I had the tiger or any domesticated tiger. They are grand in more than one way. Well done MEPA. Well done companion of the TIGER, By the way what is its name? I read many books about the BIG CATS. They are wonderful, a beauty, adorable and if you love them ( not just like them) then they return their love a hundred fold. Well done Government for seeing that all is well ( I am not that interested in documents) with the tiger. Lucky Borg. The tiger is safe that is what matters. I am afraid of holigans who destroy property and are a danger to other humans. I myself am a victim when holigans deposited a powerful bomb at my door at Attard and it exploded and nearly killed me, my baby and my neighbour. These monsters we should be afraid of not cuddly, sweet tigers. I encourage Mr. Borg to offer the Mosta Residents to visit and the lucky visitors will have to pay, proceeds to unfortunate small cats.

robert micallef

Oct 16th 2009, 20:05

louis borg maybe as you are so sure of your Son's tiger security you should start advising Zoo's on how to keep them locked up. the internet is full of stories of tigers escaping and mauling and killing people. but maybe they are not like yours domesticated and with a passport. does this mean i could find it sitting next to me on a plane ? do you know that the minimum height of an enclosure for tigers is 16.4 feet.. how high is your wall ? some people will do anything for attention

Alison Natalie Keeler

Oct 16th 2009, 19:36

So... the tiger is legal. That doesn't make it sensible does it?

Cubs grow... wild cats escape - as a 'pet' tiger did in America in August 2009 (details at: http://bigcatescapesmaulings.blogspot.com/2009/08/tigers-owner-talks-about-cats-escape.html)

For now I feel sorry for the tiger cub. And hope its owner has adequate insurance should an escape ever happen. Fingers crossed.

T. Borg

Oct 16th 2009, 17:44

Are some people stupid or what? Would any parents living in the neighbourhood have their mind at rest knowing that one of their neighbours is breeding a tiger? Of course there is a difference between a dog, a cat and a tiger!! Has anyone heard that animals (including humans) are the product of nature + nurture. It is true that if addomesticated the tiger will be less aggressive - but aggressivity is still in its nature!! How can we be sure that the owner will be taking the proper safeguards that the tiger will not escape?

S. Calleja

Oct 16th 2009, 17:27

@ M. Bezzina. Dogs, cats and horses took thousands of years of selective breeding to create a race that is domesticated. You cannot take a race from the wild and after a couple of generations in a cage expect it to abandon its natural instincts. When this tiger grows up, it will be dangerous. Documents or not.

Gerard cassar

Oct 16th 2009, 17:14

It is not an endangered species but it is a danger for people as soon as it grows up.
Will the whole police force be deployed armed if by chance it escapes or will it be a job for hunters.

M. Bezzina

Oct 16th 2009, 16:59

Dogs, cats and horses were domesticted years ago and now tigers are being domesticted. What's the difference???

No animal was created to live in our homes.

Louis Borg

Oct 16th 2009, 16:54

I have read all the comments below, all by people who think that they know everything, but actually know nothing. This tiger was born in captivity, and if it was not bred and born in captivity, it is not with us here. This tiger is chipped, has all the neccessary documents and even a passport and domesticated, and only eats food from it's owners hand. Regarding one commentator, (George Cutajar)who wishes to import a Tiger, a Puma, a Cougar and a Cheetah, I tell him, go ahead buy them, if you can affard them, and do as much business as you can from your front garden. You must be joking Mr. Cutajar. Regarding the tiger escaping, I tell everyone that even if you have a 10 cent puppy, you love him gaurd him with your life, and will surely do your best not to let him escape, let alone having an animal costing so much. I say one thing. There was only one person in Malta, who had the guts to bring a tiger here, faced the press, the comments in the press and above all, MEPA. And that happens to be my dear son.

Charles Micallef

Oct 16th 2009, 16:53

The most important issue is the welfare of the Animal, the kind of breed is immaterial, although one cannot blame people for being alarmed, as it is a known fact that if they escape, they can hurt people...........................!

Muscat pat

Oct 16th 2009, 16:49

An other Mepa act. Unbelievable! One cannot keep a bird in captivity- and a bird should be left outside flying- but in Malta one can keep a tiger! And a garage is its natural habitat! Only in Malta Mickey Mouse country!

Louis Tabone

Oct 16th 2009, 16:47

I was lucky, even privileged to have seen this exotic Bengal tiger in its present habitat on the roof of the Mosta warehouse and, although I do not proclaim to be an expert on the keeping of such animals, I can vouch for the dedication, love and care shown by its owner for his animals. The tiger is only a 4/5 months old cub and the owner surely has other plans for a more appropriate home for the tiger when it grows bigger. So all Mosta residents can unlock their front doors, start going out again and sleep easy at night.

Franco Farrugia

Oct 16th 2009, 16:17

While everyone - or almost everyone - is doing one's best to express him/herself into protecting him/herself and his granny, few, or very few, write in favour and on behalf of the animal. The question that should have been asked by MEPA and the competent authorities is: Is the tiger going to live a decent life amongst us, the Maltese?..... Is the Mediterranean climate suitable for such a tiger? ... Are the immediate surroundings friendly and beneficial to the tiger? Then, and only then, should we ask: what guarantees has the 'owner' of the tiger put to ensure that the animals does not escape?

diana cottis

Oct 16th 2009, 16:04

When my two domestic cats were imported here from the UK, three years ago, they had to have all the necessary documentation; pet passports, proof of immunization, certified fit to travel by the vet within 48 hours of travelling and had to travel with the government approved carrier only. Even then they had a month in quarantine here because 6 months had not elapsed from their rabies vaccine before they travelled (a rule which only applies in the destinations of UK and Malta) so I find it hard to believe that a protected animal like a Tiger can legally enter the country like this.

P. Montebello

Oct 16th 2009, 15:53

3 questions for Mepa.

Further to Mr Cordina's comment, was the tiger LEGALLY IMPORTED into Malta?
Were any permits for a private zoo processed BEFORE the relative importation?
Is Mepa satisfied that the accommodation in which the animal is kept is big enough for a grown up tiger?
If, or rather, when the owner dies (God gives him/her long health), is Mepa satisfied that no harm will come to the animal?

I am not going to hold my breath before Mepa answers: otherwise I will be the one who would die out of breath.

jfarrugia

Oct 16th 2009, 15:50

And Mepa understands and has what qualifications about animals ????? wouldnt this be a job for the Animal welfare who in turn would talk to a zoo or endangered animal organization in the EU about the keeping of animals like this.
Also is a garage/warehouse the proper place to keep a animal like this ??? i think not.
So can i get an elephant and put it in my basement cos i have permission from Mepa??

I just hope it has good life and treated well, and isnt some macho man's temporary pet.

C. Formosa

Oct 16th 2009, 15:49

I can never understand how a tiger is suited to live in Malta. Giving a green light to have a tiger can also mean giving the green light to other exotic species some of which can escape into the wild and create havoc with the natural environment of Malta. Examples include the Cape Sorrel (Haxixa Ingliza) which was brought over to Malta less than 200 years ago and today it spread all over the islands. In recent years exotic species have been released in the wild and these include non-native frogs, terrapins.

Well Done to MEPA protectors of our natural environment!

Jonathan Attard

Oct 16th 2009, 15:39

Why are we worrying?? This little kitty is legal therefore he's no danger... we might see him on pavements on a leash pooing.... but relax, he's just a domesticated tiger! What a farce this country is! I might adopt an elephant... pity it grows a bit too much :)

Emanuel Vella

Oct 16th 2009, 15:34

As far as I understand, the clearance was given by the environmental arm of MEPA insofar as the fact that no international conventions in the trade of endangered species were infringed with respect to the importation of this tiger cub. What about the planning arm of MEPA? Is the keeping of a man-eating tiger in a residential area within MEPA limits of acceptance? The same MEPA that defines where you can keep or not keep a pigeon loft for instance? Or is it too much to expect that the two arms of the same body (MEPA) act in co-ordination? But then, co-ordination only takes place if there is a brain in control!

And, I Cilia: being bred in captivity does not make it a toothless pussycat, it just means that it was not pilfered from rare wild stock.

MEPA just cannot get its act together and the announcement of this news item proves yet again that decisions continue to take place in a fragmented, rather than holistic manner.

Kevin Zammit

Oct 16th 2009, 15:33

I bet there are people out there that are more dangerous than this animal and still they are allowed to run free. I assume that someone who buys such an expensive pet can also afford keeping it in good health, trained and most of all safe.

Good luck mate.

GEORGE CUTAJAR

Oct 16th 2009, 15:31

I THIINK I WILL GET MYSELF A LION CUB , A TIGER CUB , A CHEETAH CUB , A PUMA CUB A COUGAR CUB TO KEEP IN THE FRONT GARDEN - ALL ARE NOTHING MORE THAN BIG CATS AND SHOULD POSE NO PROBLEMS EVEN IF THEY HAPPEN TO RUN OUT INTO THE STREET.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I CAN THAN MAKE A GOOD BUSINESS BY RENTING THEM OUT WHEN SOME FILM DIRECTOR DECIDES TO MAKE SOME EPIC MOVIE - BEN HUR , GLADIATOR ETC.

DOES IT MEAN I HAVE TO APPLY TO MEPA TO CHANGE THE USE OF MY FRONT GARDEN INTO A ZOO?

Joe morana

Oct 16th 2009, 15:28

Does this mean that in tiny and essentially urban Malta we can have/bring up also elephants, rhinos,crocodiles etc as pets or whatever? Tell it to the marines MEPA . Il-ligi minghajr ruh hi ligi mejta. Dan jghodd l-aktar meta tapplika l--lig/regolamenti kontra lbuon s-sens jew kontra is-sens komun u li fil-fehma tieghi ilu jidher nieqes sew u sew fil- MEPA.

John Falzon

Oct 16th 2009, 15:26

It is nothing short of crazy to allow individuals to keep such wild and dangerous animals, especially if there are no clear safeguards in place to ensure public safety. if nothing else it will set a precedent; encouraged by this people will start to import all sorts of spiders and snakes and whatnot, any one of which (or rather two of which) could have major repercussions if they were to escape or be released into the wild. Does anyone ever check up to see if the offspring of such creatures are all accounted for ? Could not someone with malice retaliate against society in such a devious way ?

Joe Cordina

Oct 16th 2009, 15:25

The report still does not state wether the tiger was imported in a legal manner, I think not because otherwise the authorities would have already known about it and there would have been no need for an investigation in the first place.

So may I ask, if this was not imported in a regular manner, what laws were breached, Customs and health are firts to come to mind. would anyone be charged if there have been offences or can one bring any animal in Malta without any forwarning????

D Mifsud

Oct 16th 2009, 15:23

What makes an escaped domesticated tiger any different from an escaped domesticated dog? For all we know this tiger's favourite hobby will be brushing it's head against people's legs and helping old women carry shopping bags, just like that cute faced german shepherd dog next door could have very aggressive tendencies.

I think the TV affects us too much. Tigers are always seen in the wild killing and eating animals, licking blood. Therefore they're stereotyped aggressive. Yes it might attack if it is scared, but that german shepherd will most probably do the same if it felt threatened. So what do we do? Ban all dogs from being kept as pets too? IF this tiger were to escape, then the owner should bear all the responsibility for its actions. Exactly the same as if a dog escapes and harms someone.

I'm not saying I agree with this animal being kept as a pet. I wouldn't keep it. Assuming that it will mercilessly tear humans to pieces and go on a rampage, while at the same time assuming the dog next door won't is what I don't agree with.

Derek fenech

Oct 16th 2009, 15:18

While I prefer that big felines like this should remain in the wild, if specimes like these are born in captivity it is very difficult for them to be released back into the wild as the report says. It is a known fact that attempts to reintegrate tigers that used to belong to circuses and that were born in captivity, had failed. Surely this can be a similar example and the animal would be as docile as a house cat. Let us stop raising the alarm for nothing.

Malcolm Mifsud

Oct 16th 2009, 15:15

Great to hear. I wish owner the best of luck. A dream come true if I could spend some time with this majestic beast.

clive borg

Oct 16th 2009, 15:15

u jekk izomm kelb u jahrablek u jaghmel ghal xi hadd mhux l-istess konsegwenzi , x'differenza hemm... tfitxu u toqod tiela u nizel il-qorti..

halluh jekk jogbu tigra bhala pet!

u jekk intom jogobkom taqbdu u tohorgu barra u toqtlu lil xi bnidem hemm il-mepa tiprotegik, daqsekk hu ghal annimal hemm il-mepa tiprotegik...

Pamela Hansen

Oct 16th 2009, 15:12

Wonderful.
MEPA has now opend the floodgates. As though we do not have enough abuse of residential zones.
I was not far wrong when in jest I said I would start a zoo on my roof!

i.cilia

Oct 16th 2009, 15:10

i guess if it satisfies all legislation and permits then it is fine..

no law broken or anything

so those complaing i guess you are doing so for nothing.

anyway if it is bred and raised in captivity it is will be no more dangerous than cat albeit a bit bigger of course...

it is not like it is going to come and eat you or anything... I might raid your chicken burger if you are eating one but that is all..

i think the increase in hold ups and the like is more of concern than an overgrown pussy cat!!!!!!!

Lorraine Vella

Oct 16th 2009, 15:08

There are two issues here: the neighbours, who are bound to feel afraid especially when the tiger grows old, and the tiger. What will happen to this poor tiger when it grows up? isnt it better off to be taken to a zoo or a place where its natural habitat is emulated? Granted the owner saved this tiger from an ill-fated life of mistreat and abuse in the circus, however the owner should start seriously think of relocating this poor tiger to its natural habitat.

adrian agius

Oct 16th 2009, 15:01

what happens if when it grows up it escapes?? will Mepa protect us all?

Joe Cassar

Oct 16th 2009, 15:00

And what about the danger to the neighbours should this animal escape - as it is bound to do one day?

Just how selfish and ant-social can some people be?

J. Schembri

Oct 16th 2009, 14:58

Does the warehouse have a "change of use" permit. If it breaks lose when mature , wouldn't it be a danger to life and limb. Are we taking much care of the poor tiger and forgetting about the neighbours who live nearby?

Peter Shaw

Oct 16th 2009, 14:58

For me the fact that "the specimen was accompanied by the necessary documentation " is irrelevant.In the near future this cub will be an adult tiger.And the endangered species will be the residents of Mosta then !!

George Cutajar

Oct 16th 2009, 14:53

Great News.

Surely this must be a great day for MEPA as it seems to be a first permit of this type. Does it carry an ECF number, a PA number or a DNO number?