Visitors to the Montekristo trade fair are being asked to add their name to a petition urging the government to grant a permit to the estate’s unlicensed zoo.
Some patrons, however, felt misguided as they were told the initiative was meant to petition for larger animal cages.
Writing on the Facebook page The Salott, James Camilleri said the actual wording of the petition was calling on the planning authority to grant the zoo a permit.
A Times of Malta journalist was also asked to add his name to the appeal for larger cages but, after enquiring, he was told the petition called on the government to grant permits to the Montekristo Animal Park.
One commentator, Catherine Borg, said she refused to subscribe to the request for bigger cages and would only sign to set the animals free.
No development can take place in the park since it is not covered by a planning permit.
Montekristo Estates is owned by the Polidano Group and the vast expanse of land at Ħal Farruġ is riddled with illegal development.
When contacted, Polidano Group’s lawyer Jean Paul Sammut said the petitioners were not company employees. He disagreed people were being misguided and put down the confusion to differing approaches adopted by the individual petitioners.
The petition initiative was started by animal lovers who visit Montekristo regularly and are today supporting the initiative
“The petition initiative was started by animal lovers who visit Montekristo regularly and are today supporting the initiative.
“This is being carried out by a number of volunteers who might differ in their approach.”
Asked to clarify whether they worked at the animal park, he said they were not their employees. The coordinator of the petition, Ruben Caruana, noted that the verbal question might have differed slightly from one petitioner to another.
However, the question was typed in large type at the top of the page people were being asked to sign, he added. Mr Caruana said that, as an animal lover and a frequent visitor, he met others who, like himself, believed the cages should be larger.
A lion cub sitting in his cage at Montekristo in Ħal Farruġ.He was informed that there was a pending application and that no works could be carried out before a permit was issued.
“It is also evident that the owner, Charles Polidano, cares for the animals. Those visiting the park know this quite well,” he said, adding that the park employed two part-time and one full-time vets.
“There is also a rare, typical Maltese cow, which had been underfed by the previous owners and was bought by Mr Polidano to save her from certain death. “Unfortunately, this cow, although now in good health, is the last of its species. All of this, and my care for the animals, pushed me to coordinate the petition.”
The petition comes after charges were filed against Mr Polidano, known as iċ-Ċaqnu, over alleged infringements at the zoo, including breaches of the Animal Welfare Act.
According to Mepa, the collection of animals at the zoo has over 60 different species enjoying international protection under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
It includes exotic wild animals like pumas, lynx and lions. Environmental NGOs have repeatedly condemned the authorities for ignoring planning infringements and animal welfare issues at Montekristo Estates.
Dr Sammut noted that the company had applied for permits with Mepa in 2010 and paid all fees in full. Following discussions with the planning authority and the Animal Welfare Department, an exercise was carried out to allocate the animals to the correct cages.
“Only a few animals remained in smaller cages, however, no works can be carried out without the Mepa permit. The Mepa application plans were updated according to the animal welfare recommendations, therefore, on granting the permit, the company would be in a position to increase the cages’ sizes as is being requested,” Dr Sammut said.