A biodiversity expert is calling for the compulsory registration of exotic animals, warning about invasive species such as frog, fish and turtle that were introduced to a freshwater pool in Gozo and now feed on local fauna.
“The authorities need to know who is breeding exotic animals, and what animals there are in Malta for the sake of public health and safety, biodiversity and the welfare of the animal itself,” Alfred Baldacchino told this newspaper.
The environmentalist was contacted after hobby breeders expressed concern that new amendments to the Animal Welfare Act of 2002 do not make provisions for them and as a result animals could be dumped in the wild instead of being sold online or from home.
Mr Baldacchino said no matter under what provisions in the law, exotic animals needed to be registered, monitored and housed adequately, not only for their own welfare but also so they would not escape.
When pets ran away or were released intentionally it could have a negative impact on the eco-system as they fed on local flora and fauna.
He noted that small mammals such as rodents and molluscs established themselves quickly in the wild.
Another invasive creature was the red-eared slider which is a fresh water terrapin.
This omnivore turtle, which feeds on fish as well, was introduced in the freshwater pool at San Rafflu, Gozo, and is breeding there.
The mosquito fish and the levant water frog are other alien species that are growing in numbers at the same pool.
The frog even preys on the indigenous painted frog and other aquatic species, including tadpoles, according to Mr Baldacchino.
“Bio-diversity problems are increasing and we’re waiting until some animal escapes and causes havoc. I am in favour of control, registration, monitoring and enforcement.
“If exotic animals exchange hands, the authorities should know where they are.
“While it is highly irresponsible to set animals free, they need to be registered so if they escape, they could be traced back to the owner.”
Monitoring the whereabouts of exotic animals would involve the Veterinary Services in the case of animal welfare, the planning authority’s Environmental Directorate for biodiversity concerns and the Health Department for public safety issues.
When it came to public health, trading of animals needed to be monitored so the authorities would know the whereabouts of poisonous snake hatchlings, for example, and make sure necessary precautions were taken so they would not escape, he noted.
In some cases of poisonous snakes, victims had only a few minutes to administer anti-venom.