The police are ready to proceed against the owners of the illegal Monekristo zoo at Ħal Farruġ, Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela told Parliament yesterday.

The development follows talks between the Veterinary Services department and the owners, as well as other discussions held between the vet services and the police, Mr Abela said.

He was replying to a parliamentary question by Mario Galea (PN), who referred to a report carried in The Sunday Times of Malta of January 18.

It said that the Animal Rights Secretariat had denied police claims a go-ahead was needed before owner Charles Polidano could face charges of animal abuse at the unlicensed zoo.

Mr Galea asked why the police had not yet taken legal steps after the department wrote to the Commissioner of Police in April last year about the living conditions of the exotic animals housed at the zoo.

He said the number and variety of animals had increased and asked if any investigations were under way into how such animals were getting into Malta.

Mr Abela said the letter was issued in July and the police had started investigating the case immediately. However, vet services had suggested procedures be started only following the outcome of talks they were having with the owners.

The police will now proceed, said Mr Abela.

Times of Malta reported last week that following criticism of the conditions in which the animals were being kept, the owners were working with the Veterinary Regulation Directorate to provide adequate housing for them.

The company said it had paid a fine of “a few thousand euros” for having moved animals without prior approval of the directorate.

The Montekristo Animal Park, owned by the Polidano Group, hosts about 2,000 exotic species and aims “to give society an opportunity to entertain themselves in a unique location”.

The Polidano Group said that all the animals now had the necessary documentation.