The government has yet to take any action against the illegal Montekristo zoo despite pledging enforcement after a second big cat incident involving a child.
The contentious animal park, owned by construction magnate Charles Polidano, was closed down by the authorities some five months ago after a young girl was clawed by a tiger.
The big cat had been “let out for a walk” by its handlers during visiting hours, and the girl had to undergo surgical intervention after the tiger scratched her back and face.
The park was closed immediately by its owners due to “unforeseen circumstances” and remained so during a magisterial inquiry. However, it was not long before a second incident occurred, while the zoo was meant to be closed.
The hunters’ international fair, organised by the Hunters’ Federation some two weeks ago, attracted thousands of visitors to Montekristo Estates for a weekend of guns, ammunition and hunting paraphernalia. It also attracted visitors to the supposedly closed animal park.
While the park was inexplicably open, a second child, this time a young boy, suffered scratches to his neck and back from another animal, a juvenile lioness. Details on the incident remain sketchy.
The government immediately reacted to the second incident, saying action would be taken. It said it would “not tolerate a situation where the owners think they can take the law into their own hands”. The police on the other hand said what happened had shown “that the owners have ignored orders given by the authorities, and action will be taken against them”.
Mr Polidano spent the night in police custody and was expected to be arraigned in court the following day – something which never happened
However, when asked what action was being taken, Parliamentary Secretary Deborah Schembri, responsible for planning, gave no details.
A spokeswoman for Dr Schembri said: “It is surely not government’s intention to let the matter drag on indefinitely.”
She said that while the estate contained both legal and illegal structures, the government also had to keep the protected animals in mind. The spokeswoman gave no further information, however, on what action would be taken against the animal park management.
Asked last week for further insight into what would be done, the Office of the Prime Minister failed to give any updates.
Following the second incident, the Times of Malta reported how Mr Polidano had been taken in for questioning by the police. He spent the night in police custody and was expected to be arraigned in court the following day – something which never happened. Asked for an update, the police said no charges had been issued and inquiries were ongoing.
Front Ħarsien ODZ has since expressed its disappointment that government officials and politicians from both major parties had attended the hunting fair held at Montekristo, “a place riddled by planning illegalities which include an illegal zoo and illegal structures’.
In a statement, the Front called on “all members of government, all members of Parliament, politicians and local councils to stop patronizing this illegal establishment and the general public to boycott this monument of illegality”.
Government sources meanwhile said attempts were under way to relocate the large cats and other protected animals held at the park.