Animal farm
The guttural squawks of the macaws set a tropical mood as the monkeys swing from the branches, nibbling a banana before stopping to pull faces at the bemused Bengal tiger.
Setting foot inside a sprawling Mosta warehouse is like landing on a small-scale zoo, where children can fulfil their dream to see the animals from their picture books come alive – from wallabies to swans, a mountain goat and a pony, among other animals.
At 36, Chris Borg has retained his childhood fascination with animals and his eyes light up whenever he speaks about Lentika, the 24-week-old cub, that is the latest ‘pet’ to enter his park.
Hearing her name, Lentika rubs her nuzzle against the wall, and rolls over on her back inviting her owner to come and play. Gnawing on the raw chicken drumstick, the tiger is oblivious to the fact that she has become the talk of the town.
Mr Borg, a businessman, admits the last thing he wanted when he set his mind on buying a tiger was media attention, especially since he claims there are other big cats on the island.
It all started two years ago when he was researching the process of buying a tiger, which for him was always the star attraction at every zoo he visited. He finally settled on Slovakia where the tigers were bred in captivity according to the rules of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
“When I saw Lentika, I just wanted to bring her home – the paperwork was the last thing on my mind,” Mr Borg said.
Instead, he had to settle for making weekly trips to Slovakia for two months to bond with the cub, feeding her milk from a baby’s bottle. Once the tiger’s documentation and passport were in order, Lentika could travel to her new home.
When the news spread that a tiger had entered Malta, many assumed it was illegal, but as long as animals are not listed as endangered species by Cites there is no law prohibiting their importation.
Last Friday, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority concluded the tiger had not been caught from the endangered Bengal species roaming the wild and its paperwork satisfied the criteria set by the relevant EC regulations and Cites.
Mr Borg is so obsessed with the tiger’s well-being that he brought its trainer with him to Malta to guide him on caring for his new pet. The tiger has settled in her new environs and whenever there are no clients, Mr Borg lets Lentika roam into his office where she contentedly sleeps sprawled at his feet, like an oversized cat.
Tigers, he says, are mostly solitary creatures and when Lentika grows, Mr Borg plans to move her to a bigger place; he is just awaiting the green light from Mepa to proceed.
Several animal lovers have expressed concern about whether the tiger has adequate space, but Mr Borg insists the premises are just right. Moreover, its new quarters will be designed under a vet’s guidance to ensure all EU standards are met.
In the meantime, the tiger has ample territory for play and after she has been fed her protein for the day – three kilogrammes of chicken or pork depending on her appetite – she curls up and sleeps.
So what will he do when Lentika is a fully developed Bengal tiger weighing some 150 kilogrammes and eating several more kilos of meat?
“Well, we won’t be able to play with her the same way anymore because she will probably topple us over. But she will have all the space she needs to be happy and get the respect she deserves... and I’m taking all the precautions to ensure she never escapes,” he said.
Moving on into an adjacent den, he prepares food for his 14 monkeys – a healthy bowl of bananas, apples, grapes, carrots, tomatoes and kiwis. The curious mountain goat pokes its nose through the bars, where it lives happily with four wallabies (small kangaroos), peacocks and plenty of birds.
“I have no intention of opening this place up as a small zoo. I want to keep this as my hobby and not transform it into a business... otherwise they won’t be my pets anymore.”
Luckily, his family – partner Oksana, Dylan, 11, and three-year-old Yulia – share his passions, despite the daily chore of cleaning and feeding all the animals.
49 Comments
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John Pace
Oct 20th 2009, 23:01
Can someone from Customs Departmetn or MEPA please explain how all these animals
managed to come through our borders?
I intend importing an elephant. Any objections?
Marica Cooper
Oct 20th 2009, 20:51
In another Paper the Malta Cat Clubs are asking about quarantine and if this Tiger went into quarantine - they are saying this tiger was not in quarantine - i also asked this question and since no one has answered it is obvious that this Tiger for some reason was exempt from quarantine whilst my 2 beloved domestic cats had to stay in quarantine.Why is the Veterinary service so quiet on this thing? Maybe there is more to it than meets the eye!
Carina Dimech
Oct 20th 2009, 16:32
I visited Mr. Borg's place personally and i was taken aback at how loved and taken care of these animals were. He treats them like his kids. I am so happy that he was allowed to keep this tiger.
J. Grech
Oct 20th 2009, 14:13
Jaqq xi dwejjaq fikom, min jeqred u jgerger l-iktar......the animals seem to be well kept :) The tiger was born in captivity...it was brought up in captivity. It can never be integrated to the wildlife and its not the case that the tiger should be out in the wild!
And please stop the nagging....good day :)
Andrew Pullicino
Oct 20th 2009, 13:47
Well done Mr Borg. Some day i would like to visit your animals and see them. Keep up the good work!
R. Formosa
Oct 20th 2009, 11:21
What about making children (and adults) more aware about animals and allowing small groups to go and help on with his 'farm'? Rather than opening up as a business (which I totally agree to not doing), Chris Borg could allow people to go and feed and clean the animals for a day same as zoos do. That way he will still keep his hobby, and will only allow people close to the animals when he wants to whilst getting a hand with the animals. I would be one of the first to go and help for sure!
Giancarlo Refalo
Oct 20th 2009, 11:13
What had to be a carefree, curious article has become an attack on an individual for doing nothing more than pursuing his dream! If everything was done by the book, if the Tiger is satisfied and well cared for, then what on earth is wrong with this guy spending his money as he pleases?
I'd rather have him as my neighbour than most other types found occasionally in Malta, such as home garage fireworks manufacturers. I'd rather have a neighbour with a well cared for satisfied Tiger than one with 5 angry half-starved fighting dogs. Better a well cared for tiger roaming in an enclosed area with shelter and water, than a horse kept tied up in the July sun with no place to go.
Mr. Borg... good luck. I suspect you'll get a much larger dose of stress from the Maltese public than from your beloved pets!
Dee De Santis
Oct 20th 2009, 02:32
Tigers are not pets. What you see now as a cute cub will turn into a 300-500 lb apex predator. Not only is it inhumane to keep this cat as a pet, but it is extremely dangerous. Here in the United States the private ownership of tigers is an escalating problem. Sadly there are more tigers in captivity in the U.S. then there are in the wild. Laws in the U.S. very from state to state regarding private ownership of exotic animals like tigers. Many of these cats live in horrible roadside zoos, backyards, or in the sad and unbelievable case of Tony, a 9 year old tiger, at a truck stop in Louisiana http://www.freetony.com . It truly angers me to see such majestic beautiful enndangered animals such as tigers used as gimmicks, moneymaking schemes or to as a status symbol.
Rodnick Abdilla
Oct 20th 2009, 00:35
Maltese gem gem min igerger l laktar
M.Debono
Oct 19th 2009, 21:56
Well, hearing about big wild cats kept as pets in different parts of Malta and Gozo makes me feel quite unsafe. If it is true that there are a number of such animals around I strongly believe that these should be made public!!! I believe it is our right to know where these are kept and to keep our minds at rest about any possibility of these animals escaping from their owners!!
Dr. Noel Calleja
Oct 19th 2009, 15:31
I just cannot understand why us Maltese have to all the time be negative. ALthough these shown animals are living in an enclosed area, it more safer than roaming about as all of us know what would happen on the majority of all cases. Imma as for the last we hardly comment as there are a number of local citizens who practice the so called sports of shooting animals!! As regard to big cats...Mr. Borg has an very expensive hobby in which if he is capable to endure, than good luck to him. Now that MEPA has confirmed that his tiger is living well and holds all papers, may I ask all of you here who commented maybe to ask MEPA to certify the other BIG CATS living here and located in Marsa, Mellieha, San Pawl Tat-Targa, SIggiewi and Gozo which I really wonder how safe is their place that they are living in and how safe are their neighbours!!! Mr. Borg, a very well done for your hobby.
victor vella
Oct 19th 2009, 09:46
Mr Borg, having seen the video of the animals, I get the impression that they are all happy and interact with you, it is not easy to have a bird stay in your arms like that, the tiger looks happy and may you enjoy her for a very long time, tigers like cats are very endearing creatures.Well done and may you enjoy the fruits of your labour for a very long time.
Ivan Cocker
Oct 19th 2009, 09:21
My expression when I saw this footage on the news made me wonder. I love exotic pets myself and as many who share my passion kept a tarantula and a tropical frog but keeping and maybe breeding tigers for me is playing with fire. Coming up with a statement on the news that these animals are domestic, probably he was joking ... breed in the wild or domestic still this animal when full grown remain a danger, I do not think that kid will be playing around with theat 'cat' anymore. These animals still keep their instinct being domestic or not, their jaws and claws are instruments to kill not for amusement. Hope also that he turns that small concrete bunker into a jungle when full grown!
I am utterly discussed by MEPA for letting in the permit and would like to now how this cub come over to Malta, was it sent via e-mail? How this cub managed to pass customs and quarantine? As I love exotic animals myself can I buy cobras, a couple of crocodiles and maybe an African elephant as along as they domestic bred?
M Williams
Oct 18th 2009, 23:26
@ J Farrugia
I can assure you that people who are against circuses featuring animals are also against tigers and other wild animals being kept in captivity. Such animals which are used to roaming over large areas in their natural habitat should not be confined to a cage. As for the fact that the tiger was bred in captivity, its parents or grandparents must have been captured from the wild. Mr Borg, by buying this tiger, is helping to create a demand and making it profitable enough for the people in Slovakia or elsewhere to decide it is worth capturing more wild tigers to breed from them. It's a simple matter of supply and demand. If no one bought exotic species, pet shops would no longer find it profitable to stock them. If people adopted pets from sanctuaries, it would no longer be profitable to breed pedigree animals with the resulting health problems which ensue (http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=44215931#). It all boils down to Man's egoistic belief that he owns everything around him. Other creatures also have rights... one of them being the right to freedom!
Ian Xuereb
Oct 18th 2009, 22:36
@ Ray Buhagiar
Of course you can keep a falcon as long as it is captive bred and legally imported!
Joseph Portelli
Oct 18th 2009, 21:12
Maltese Gemgem , its true what they say about us , jaqqqqqq you critisize about everything. Nice job Mr Borg , if i have money i do something like you.
peter fitzgerald
Oct 18th 2009, 18:55
The man claims to be buisnessman, As to his love and relationship with exotic annimals we have yet to see????
J Farrugia
Oct 18th 2009, 17:39
I only hope that when the animal circus comes to Malta next December no anti circus group comes forward to protest against it, when in Malta they did never protest against these foreign dangerous animals living around us without our knowledge. If they protest they will have to face the wrath of the Maltese circus lovers. This is timely warning. Before you start any protests, go and see what MEPA is doing, and what these Maltese citizens are importing from abroad.
Simon Cassar
Oct 18th 2009, 16:11
I have checked several sites on the internet and they all say that although the bengal tiger is one of the most numerous tigers, still it is ENDANGERED with about 2000 species kept in the wild.
I do agree with Mr. Borg that if the cub was born in captivity it will find it difficult to live in the wild, but still I have my doubts on the criteria used by the EU regulations and cites
J. Borg
Oct 18th 2009, 15:35
Vanity and showing off come to mind…
Jewellery and cars – do not involve keeping animals in such unnatural environment.
Mr. Borg…..got the whiff?
Paul Fenech
Oct 18th 2009, 15:14
the animals are living in good conditions from what seen in the video... msss kemm tgergru... i see nothing wrong with this personal farm, all the animals are being fed and have enough space to live.
nahseb hadd awn gew ma ghandu ghasfur f'gagga...
Graham Crocker
Oct 18th 2009, 14:32
Why not open it up as a free mini-zoo for 4 hours a day? Or Charge money, and with the money make an animal sanctuary (which would provide space for the adult tiger in the future). I remember going to a zoo in Germany, where it was humans that where behind fences while the animals roamed about the land.
Before I was against this tiger, but it seems like the guy is serious about his hobby and has the money to afford it.
Ray Buhagiar
Oct 18th 2009, 13:47
If this man can keep a tiger, can I keep a Falcon?
Carmel Serracino-Inglott
Oct 18th 2009, 13:38
@F.Farrugia At home I am companion to 3 cats and I do not own them ( more likely they own me). A big cat is companion to Mr. Borg. The tiger is LUCKY to be with Mr. Borg. He saved it from maybe being fed, grown and killed fur its fur. Well done Chris. I know ( studied cats' behaviour especially those living in companionship with humans) There is absolutely no harm done to the tiger. The instinct is subdued naturally for the Tiger has amply food and all it needs is to talk to her ( i.e. if you know how I for one know) Even Circus big cats are not all owned ( a bad thing) but are companions to their trainers. Believe me both love it. In the wild they meet many dangers, diseases and famine and they die. With companions they happy. I admit Chris should be subjected to inspections for the welfare of the tiger but all animal owners and companions for that matter should be as well. That is why I agree with the Animal Welfare dept of this government at least something for the benefit of all animals is being tried at last.
l borg
Oct 18th 2009, 13:37
WELL BEING A ANIMAL LOVER MYSELF AND I KEEP PARROTS I CANNOT JUDGE THE ZOO
HOWEVER IN THE WILD A BENGAL TIGER DAY IS ROAMING HIS TERRITORY
OF COURSE ITS THE SIZE OFF MALTA
SO NOTHING IS BIG ENOUGH FOR A TIGER
Joe Cassar
Oct 18th 2009, 12:55
"... and I’m taking all the precautions to ensure she never escapes,” he said."
Exactly what John Hammond said in Jurassic Park. And, in real life, any zoo will tell you how inevitable it is that some animals will escape, no matter how careful you are.
I'm sorry for Mr Borg's neighbours.
JOSEPH ZAMMIT
Oct 18th 2009, 12:26
This is condemnable! And the media should not give a positive exposure to this—what messages will our little kids going to receive?
Fascination with animals? No, it is pure selfish and possessive! We must ban zoos! A tiger bred in captivity is no tiger at all, but only a poor imitation. Wild animals when deprived of their hunting instincts are turned into animal zombies.
I’m sorry timesofmalta—this time you got it wrong and should not have promoted such a feature.
Mr.Borg, this is all ‘assertion of your EGO’.
I do hope thi won't encourage others to indulge in such animal cruelty--yes! It is cruelty.
Marica Cooper
Oct 18th 2009, 11:32
Strange how all the animal welfare organisations in Malta have stayed quiet about this, where are the SPCA, the Island Sanctuary, the AAA etc or don't they see this as their business to comment? why all this publicity about this Tiger - is it to make people forget how it managed to come into Malta? The reality is that Malta is a place where networking works because we are all related to someone who knows someone who can find someone else to help you do what you want!
I repeat my question - why did my domestic cats have to stay in quarantine? There is a BIG difference between a cat and a Tiger no? If people want to have tigers.lions elephants and what not good luck to them but they should be properly imported and regulated and in a safari park not a warehouse. If it were not for an eagle eyed neighbour who reported it, don't you see that NO ONE would have known about this tiger in Malta.
Doris Agius
Oct 18th 2009, 11:30
What a horrible video to start Sunday Morning with. Animals in CAPTIVITY. How selfish can one be. Poor, poor animals.
Mark Grech
Oct 18th 2009, 11:27
Having read a couple of the lenghtly comments codemning this chap for going to great lenghts and expenses to ensure the well-being of his exotic animals, I ask all these people one thing.. Do you condemn, with the same ferocity, the thousands of Maltese who own a cat, a dog or a bird? Is it not also unnatural to cage a bird, de-claw a cat, or neuter a dog? Shall we do away with pets entirely?
Shall we condemn a man for his taste in pets? Isn't anyone allowed to follow their dreams anymore?
Are we so focused on conformity that we go out of our way to smother individuality?
Food for thought, one hopes
michael cauchi
Oct 18th 2009, 11:18
smale scale zoo ??? wots in a word !
fejnhom tal ghaqda tad drittijiet tal annimali ??? allahares naraw xi guva kollha pitirrossi , ajkli , etc etc.....ax iqumu l irwiefen kollha !.....in nassaba biss jamlu hazin f Malta !!
victor pulis
Oct 18th 2009, 10:56
Which of these animals has a warehouse for its natural environment? What about companionship for Lentika? Will she spend her life alone? The video showed a hotch potch collection of animals kept indoors for the pleasure of a single family. I disagree with the notion of a zoo. in fact there is a strong movement against zoos and more support for reservations where animals can roam freely in their natural habitat. No ammount of consent by MEPA or any other organisation can justify the captivity of animals.
Ludwig Flask
Oct 18th 2009, 10:55
Animal rights? NGO’s where are you? No to Circus and yes to warehouse kept wildlife animals or birds? I don't condemn keeping these animals, but at least they have to be kept in larger areas as large scale zoos (e.g. http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/visit/map) or better wildlife African parks. Why not fund international wildlife parks or zoos and visit regularly if one has money to spare? MEPA expertise… huh!
S. Calaio
Oct 18th 2009, 10:50
Is it toooo difficult for us humans to understand the meaning of "wild animals"???? Vera sar egoist il-bniedem!!!!
Hekk sew, mela " to retained his childhood fascination with animals" he bought these animals to keep them in captivity, when they should be free, running in the wild!!!! And by the way, they shouldn't have been bred in captivity in the first place!!!! Is it too much to ask that before we pursue our personal (and egoistic) desires, we think carefully about the effect it's having on nature and the environement??? How about putting Mr. Borg in the same confined conditions that his animals are in!!! Would he like that??? Don't think so right??
G.Debono
Oct 18th 2009, 10:33
This whole affair brings memories of Al Pacino's Scarface movie, and the tiger he had in the garden.
Is it that film that inspired this man?
Charles Micallef
Oct 18th 2009, 10:28
Concern.............
This beautiful well cared for cab will one day grow into a very large magnificent animal who will never loose it wild killer instincts and if we have to believe the welfare of this animal comes first it will require space to roam in, and not a cage to live in...
Mind you I heard that there is a lot of open spaces at Kennedy Grove on a Sundays afternoons you can then be assured that this Grove will be spotless come Monday mornings!
A. Schembri
Oct 18th 2009, 10:17
Seeing all your comments...
I agree about the comment lacking natural sunlight
I appreciate the comments about lack of space for the monkeys etc, however... this is not any different from the animals kept in poor conditions in such a small space at Melita near San Anton. What about San Anton itself, a Camel needs space etc.
What about pet shops selling various types of Bats, large Scorpions, Owls and Kestrals as well as other birds of Prey . Is this OK Do they have all the neccessary documentation for each individual creature. If so does this make it OK? What precaustions are in place to ensure the owners of these creatures abide to regulation.
Jon Agius
Oct 18th 2009, 09:58
@T.Mifsud
"Everyone knows that there is a huge tiger in Marsa. The tiger was once paraded on the Maria Regina church parvis during animal blessing day!"
haha, what a strange day for the priest.
For me all this doesn't make a difference as long as he's keeping them well. Only the poisonous creatures of spiders, snakes must not be allowed
Maria Gauci
Oct 18th 2009, 09:54
Just a few questions to Mr Farrugia, the buying and selling of animals happens everywhere around us. Where are you going to start and stop this condemnation you mentioned? How is this case different from what any pet shop is doing? we'd better worry on those people who are cruel to animals than about this person who has a real love and passion for these creatures. Surely he's thought it over and would not want to bring any harm on these animals he so lovingly keeps.
Chris Finch
Oct 18th 2009, 09:43
And what about natural sunlight? as far as I could tell these were all indoors.
Cruel beyond belief.
Huber R
Oct 18th 2009, 09:39
So! All the fuss that was made by many gossipers and jumping into conclusion comes to nothing. Speculations seems to be the agenda of the day for some Maltese who should be working and instead are browsing web pages to show us how intelligent they are.
So please, in the future be more careful and know the facts before commenting because we, are fed up with your speculations.
Joe Camilleri
Oct 18th 2009, 09:30
Chris Borg
Now that you have shown the world what you have, wait for some NGOs protests.
T Mifsud
Oct 18th 2009, 09:20
Everyone knows that there is a huge tiger in Marsa. The tiger was once paraded on the Maria Regina church parvis during animal blessing day!
Indeed Mr Borg's claim is very right.
P Agius
Oct 18th 2009, 09:17
very cute....pity she's living in captivity
stefania soler
Oct 18th 2009, 09:16
I think Mr Borg should get real. If he has such a passion for tropical and wild animals then he ought to spend some time with them in their natural habitat where he can see them enjoy their freedom. A warehouse is no place to keep these animals irrispective of his good intentions, which may i add i have my doubts about. So please stop trying to make it look like some happy wildlife zoo or park where the animals are overjoyed to be. Surely it may seem so especially since they don't know better.
M. Zammit
Oct 18th 2009, 09:15
My feeling about this article is first we criticise then we try and make up for it by giving publicity like it is ok... since all the paperwork is in order all is well.
But my feelings about this video are the following:
1. I see cages - I wouldn't like to live in a cage!
2. I don't' think it's right that so many animals are shut away for the enjoyment of just on person and this because he can afford it. "Life" shouldn't be "bought" for the enjoyment of anyone.
3. They might be taken care of but they are still not in their natural environment. Having been born in captivity just means that not only these animals but their parents too were not free to road the earth.
We humans do everything to manipulate each other's minds mentioning EU conventions etc.. but they are only laws made by man not natural laws!
I'm not impressed by this video, in fact, I feel worse knowing what is going on around us in small Malta. Anything for a hobby right. Who of us, I wonder who would like to live in such a place and do it freely.
J.Bonnici
Oct 18th 2009, 09:12
"She will have all the space she needs to be happy"
That would approximately be 30 square miles.
Franco Farrugia
Oct 18th 2009, 09:05
In my opinion, Mr Borg has made himself party to, and has contributed towards, a long process of animals being kept and bred in captivity. And this, in my books, is condemnable. You do not have any right to OWN animals, sir. You have no right to buy them. Nobody has a right to receive money for animals. And especially animals which find themselves in surroundings with which they are not usually familiar with.
There are MANY points which can be raised with regard to the tiger's future, which cannot be mentioned in a commentary like this - and they are personal. Some points to ponder on: what if, heaven forbid, Mr Borg had to be unable to care for the tiger? Who is going to take his place? What if Mr Borg had to change his civil status? Will he have the time to look after the tiger? And what if the tiger had to fall ill? Are there local veterinarians able and experienced to see to it? Has Mr Borg thought of these matters?
I doubt it. Somehow, I have a feeling that this is all a result of man's quest to OWN, OWN, OWN, OWN, OWN, OWN!
Andrea Portelli
Oct 18th 2009, 08:52
"and don't worry , he's taking all the precautions to ensure she never strays away from home"
Not good enough sorry....