One hundred and thirty four dangerous animals have been registered in 15 localities in Malta.

Last February, new regulations prohibiting the importation of dangerous animals were introduced. An entire list of such “dangerous” animals, ranging from elephants to scorpions, was published in the legal notice.

The Owning and Keeping of Dangerous Animals Regulations imposed an obligation on the current owners of these animals to register them within 90 days against a nominal €10 fee.

Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Rights Roderick Galdes informed Parliament that 28 applications were submitted. Answering a parliamentary question by Mario Galea (PN), Mr Galdes remarked that the largest group of dangerous animals, 53, were being held at Ħal Farruġ.

The remaining were housed in 15 other localities: Qormi, Żebbuġ, Santa Venera, Birżebbuġa, Gżira, San Ġwann, Żejtun, Siġġiewi, Rabat, Żurrieq, Attard, Pembroke, Mtarfa and Dingli.

The most common dangerous animals held in Malta are monkeys, lions, tigers and pumas.

According to the new regulations all dangerous animals that are not registered or are illegally imported would be confiscated and disposed of by auction.

Registered animals are to be kept in licensed zoos, while owners would be obliged to register births, deaths, escapes from captivity and transfer of ownership.

I personally do not think there is a place for animals such as tigers and lions in Malta, considering the space they need

Any future offspring is to be registered against animal-specific fees, ranging from €50 for a baby Tasmanian devil and grey kangaroo to €10,000 for a baby elephant and rhinoceros.

Speaking to this paper last year, the Animal Welfare Commissioner expressed his views that Malta was no place for lions and tigers.

“I personally do not think there is a place for animals such as tigers and lions in Malta, considering the space they need and the size of our country,” Emanuel Buhagiar said.

“On the other hand, I do not agree with a total ban because there are a lot of animals that can be considered dangerous.”

Attard
3 monkeys
2 pumas

Birżebbuġa
1 monkey

Dingli
2 crocodiles
1 monkey

Gżira
1 monkey

Ħal Farruġ
14 monkeys
8 antelopes
5 pumas
5 lemurs
4 tigers
4 barbary sheep
3 lions
2 baboons
2 jaguars
2 jungle cats
2 lynx
2 reindeers

Mtarfa
4 monkeys

Pembroke
2 monkeys

Qormi
6 monkeys
3 crocodiles
2 savannah cats
1 puma

Rabat
2 monkeys
7 tigers
3 antelopes
2 leopards
1 jaguar
1 lion

San Ġwann
1 crocodile

Santa Venera
1 monkey

Siġġiewi
9 lions
4 monkeys
3 pumas
2 leopards
2 siberian tigers
1 bengal tiger

Żebbuġ
7 monkeys
3 pumas
1 lion
1 lemur

Żejtun
1 monkey

Żurrieq
1 monkey