Zebra born at Montekristo Estates
Baby Agostino with his mother Nini.
A foal has been born at Montekristo Estates in Hal Farruga to zebras Nini and Pasquale.
The foal, born on Monday, has been named Agostino.
Nini and Pasquale have been hosted at the Montekristo refuge and reproduction centre for the past two years.
Pasquale was rescued from a circus in Naples where he was trained to perform tricks. Nini was born at a zoo in the Netherlands.
Agostino is the first zebra to be born in Malta.
Other animals that have been successfully bred at the centre are fallow deer and marmoset monkeys.
Birds of prey shot over Malta have also been rehabilitated and freed.
The centre, which extends over 25,000 metres, is private but the intention is to one day open it to the public.
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28 Comments
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L. Vella
Aug 5th 2011, 13:51
At least they will still be alive if used for public entertainment than butchered to death for public consumption...
Ms Dorielle Soler
Aug 5th 2011, 09:59
These animals have NOT been kidnapped from the wild so get real people ! They will always need human protection and there is nothing wrong in having a centre open to the public. It will increase awareness and respect for animals by children and adults alike towards these creatures.
Maria Vassallo
Aug 4th 2011, 21:40
Claire,
indeed, animals are not toys!
But more and more
children are neither toys nor channels for earning money!
Claire Busuttil
Aug 4th 2011, 10:09
Animals, are not toys, they should NEVER be used to amuse people.
On another note it was a good thing that the centre saved the Zebra, from a circus in Naples,
Franco Farrugia
Aug 4th 2011, 14:05
My point, exactly!
Ms D Galea
Aug 3rd 2011, 23:00
These lovely creatures would not survive for a single day in the wild because they have been born in captivity.
Prosit to who is looking after them and keep up with the good work.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 4th 2011, 13:53
You should see past the end of your nose, dear Ms Galea. My point is that with the birth of yet another animal in captivity, there is going to be a +1 animal being held in captivity and so, we are adding to the number of animals deprived of their natural life in the wild. Pleaaaaase, don't let me spell things out for you!
Simon Muscat
Aug 3rd 2011, 19:15
Tajjeb li jigru dawn laffarijiet hawn Malta halli il-Gahan Malti ikollu fuq xiex igerger u jeqred
Mr Peter Borg Olivier
Aug 3rd 2011, 20:26
Kieku jien kont in semmieh JUVE !
Philip Hili
Aug 5th 2011, 00:31
@ Peter Borg Olivier
Ha! Ha!. Peter, tajba!!
Mr David Bonello
Aug 3rd 2011, 18:53
What the birds of prey got to do with the zebra news? Hidden agenda as usual WOW !!!!!!!
Mr Erin Ciantar
Aug 3rd 2011, 19:40
What is wrong with people like you?
charlo' sammut
Aug 3rd 2011, 17:58
gerger gahan gerger alura bili jkolna zoo , dawn mizmuma tajeb !!! kulltant ikunu mizmuma ahjar min kif izzommu rohom certu nies !!!!!
Mr James Rizzo
Aug 3rd 2011, 17:17
How many of the 25,000 metres are dedicated only to the zebras ?
M. Bezzina
Aug 3rd 2011, 16:52
Issa ma jkunx aw 4 jeqirdu ghax mhux sew ikollna zoo........ghax go dil Gzira aw l imsiken eh !!!!!!!
Franco Farrugia
Aug 3rd 2011, 16:32
I am grateful that the Centre saves wild animals from animal-zoos - reminds me about that constant yearly visit, at around Christmastime, when our government and authorities allow animal-zoos to 'entertain' the populace - but is there such a need for reproduction? This only adds more wild animals kept in captivity.
victor bonello
Aug 3rd 2011, 17:48
Dear Franco, there is a great difference between parks and circuses. In circuses as you say animals are forced to perform to amuse humans, this is bad!
In a reproducion centre, animals are kept in as close to prefect conditions as possible, as exotic animals, birds and fihes will only reproduce if they are in near to perfect condition.
Part of our joy for this new arrival is that we now have concrete proof, our people who look after these animals are doing a good job, and that our animals are happy..
Franco Farrugia
Aug 3rd 2011, 23:35
@ Victor Bonello: Actually, I have just seen you on the News. That answers the mystery as to what relationship you have with Montekristo Estates.
Another mystery, perhaps, that you can solve for us: with what permission are you, at the Estates, keeping wild animals? Under which Legal Act have you been given permission to keep exotic and wild animals? And who gave you this permission?
Thank you - I hope you will be able to answer these questions.
Gerald Vella
Aug 3rd 2011, 16:30
A much deserved success to the dedicated people working at the centre. Montekristo Estates is a showcase by itself and the intention of opening the centre to the public is great. Children would simply love it. Montekristo keep it up..
Franco Farrugia
Aug 4th 2011, 19:33
I am sure that 'children would simply love it'. But what about the animals on show? Would your own child love it if s/he had to be thus put on show? I doubt it.
Philip Grech
Aug 3rd 2011, 15:49
After who was it named? I have my own ideas which I am keeping to myself.
victor bonello
Aug 3rd 2011, 17:49
Agostino was so named as he was born on the 1st of August..hence Agostino..
Mr Joseph Grungo
Aug 3rd 2011, 15:03
Excelent !! Well done to you all at the centre and keep up the good work
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