Government to auction off non-registered 'dangerous' animals

The government will confiscate and auction off "dangerous" animals already on the island unless their owners register them within 90 days.

The entire list of "dangerous" animals has been published in a legal notice, and includes tigers, lions, elephants, giraffes, walruses and baboons.

Parliamentary secretary for animal rights Roderick Galdes told a press conference that only licensed zoos will be allowed to import these animals from now on.

Private collectors, including Charles Polidano’s Montekristo 'zoo', will be able to keep their animals but will be required to register them within the next three months against a €10 fee.

When asked why the ban hasn't been extended to include those exotic animals already in the hands of private collectors, Galdes insisted that "laws aren't usually applied retroactively".

"The fact is that the previous administration didn't regulate the sector, while this government took the bull by the horns," he added.

Any future offspring will also have to be registered against animal-specific fees – ranging from €50 for baby Tasmanian devils and grey kangaroos to €10,000 for baby elephants and rhinoceroses.

Owners must also inform the authorities when they sell exotic animals, after which they will be taxed according to the animal.

“We want to deter people from making a business out of trading exotic animals,” Galdes explained.

Owners are now also obliged to inform the authorities when their exotic animals die or escape.  

Private collectors will also have to ensure that their ‘pet’ is kept in an adequate and safe enclosure that respects the animal’s requirements, including in terms of health, cleanliness and microclimate necessary for such animals’ wellbeing.