Polidano following animal welfare instructions on Montekristo zoo

The Polidano Group has claimed that it is abiding by instructions from the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and animal welfare officials in the upkeep of its zoo at the Montekristo Estate. Moreover the company has started paying the fines imposed by the authorities.

Polidano Group lawyer Jean Paul Sammut has said that during meetings with MEPA and animal welfare officials, the company had been issued with instructions on the removal of illegal structures from the animal park and to improve the animals’ environment and place them in larger cages.

“Removal works were carried out in December and resumed on Monday as Polidano employees returned from Christmas shutdown,” Sammut said.

The Times of Malta reported Sunday that the police were still to take action against Charles Polidano ‘ic-Caqnu’ over infringements at the Montekristo Animal Park despite a request made by the Animal Rights Parliamentary Secretariat eight months ago.

Police said they were still waiting for the decision of the government’s veterinary services department “to be able to take all action called for from them”.

The police had told this newspaper last October investigations were on-going. In April, the, the veterinary services department, which falls under the Animal Rights Parliamentary Secretariat led by Roderick Galdes, wrote to the Police Commissioner asking him to take legal action against the owner of Montekristo Estates.