Animals at the Marsascala Family Park lacked shelter from the scorching sun in summer and, in fact, rabbits, goats and sheep were being transferred, the Government said yesterday.

Animal Rights Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes said the rabbits were moved to Għammieri to avoid more deaths or health problems to the animals.

The rabbit section at the Ta’ Qali petting farm will also be temporary closed in the summer months. The rabbits, goats and sheep there will also be transferred to Għammieri.

Mr Galdes said he was working on improving shelter from the sun for the sheep and goats at the Marsascala park.

The animals’ condition was being regularly monitored by vets, he said.

He blamed the situation on the previous Administration, accusing the Nationalist government of rushing to open the Marsascala park without first holding adequate studies or veterinary consultations to assess the conditions in which the animals would be kept during the hot summer months.

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