Montekristo Estates Animal Park has been served with at least two warning letters from the Veterinary Directorate because of the poor conditions animals are kept in, but no move has been made to close it down.
The Animal Rights Parliamentary Secretariat confirmed the site owned by Polidano Brothers was in breach of the Animal Welfare Act.
However, despite legal provisions allowing for penalties to be imposed and for the place to be shut down, the animal park continues to profit from exotic animals held in poor conditions. Some 20 wild animals from different species at the park benefit from international protection and their trade is banned.
These include pumas, jungle cats, Eurasian lynxes, Barbary macaques (monkeys), ring-tailed lemurs as well as a Caracal (a territorial cat), a lion and an Ocelot.
The animal park is hosted on an illegally developed site subject to an enforcement notice issued in 2008 against Polidano Brothers.
In September 2012, the planning authority initiated criminal court proceedings against the owner. Last year, the court stopped Mepa from demolishing the illegal structures on site.
Paul Polidano, one of the brothers, did not wish to comment. Attempts to reach the other, Charles Polidano, failed.
POLIDANO REACTION
However in a statement this evening, Polidano Brothers said the Animal Park application was submitted to Mepa back in 2009/2010 but for some reason all applications of the group were shelved.
"After the direct action of last year (an enforcement action by Mepa), several meetings were held with the competent authorities and after five years, the processing of the pending applications was resumed. The management is anxiously looking forward to have the applications processed, and that a decision is taken in the near future."
Polidano Brothers said the Group had applied for permits 'many years ago,' and the application was also paid in full, at over €126,000.
"With regards to the wellbeing of the animals. It is pertinent to note that the Animal Park employs the services of professionals who are specifically employed to provide the animals with the best care. Also, that the pending applications have been updated in order to ensure additional comfort to all animals.
"In the meantime since last inspection carried out by the welfare authorities, several actions were taken in order to remedy the situation, however, Polidano Group is waiting for the decision of the authorities in order to proceed accordingly.
"Once a decision is taken by the competent authorities Polidano Group will take all necessary measures to adhere to the directions of the authorities straight away."