Planning Authority clamps down on illegal zoo

The owners of an illegal zoo have been served with an enforcement notice by the Planning Authority, following MaltaToday’s report on the illegal structures in Rabat.

“All structures on site were constructed without permission. An enforcement notice is being issued against the works,” the authority said. 

In the meantime, a preliminary application has been filed by the owners to regularise the illegal structures, which currently house a number of animals including zebras, llamas and horses.

In comments to MaltaToday, a PA spokesperson said that “in October, the authority’s enforcement officers inspected the site and noted various structures such as demountable stables with adjacent paddocks, large cages, rubble walls, creation of passage ways with concrete and iron railings, and a horse exercise machine.”

The spokesperson added that the stables already housed various equines as well as some exotic animals like zebras and llamas.  

Large cages and other structures intended to house animals, including big cats, are being erected in Rabat

The authority has also contacted various government agencies to aid in the investigations or to take separate action should they deem fit.  

These include the Lands Department, the Paying Agency, the Environment and Resources Authority and the Veterinary Services.

Two weeks ago, MaltaToday reported that the Veterinary Regulation Department had not issued any permits for a zoo measuring some 3,700 square metres in ODZ land in Rabat.

Large cages and other structures intended to house animals, including big cats, are being erected in Rabat, but the Veterinary Regulation Department has said it has not received any applications for a zoo in the locality. 

In May 2016 the PA sanctioned repairs to existing random dry-stone rubble walls on the site. 

However, the works which were still ongoing up to two weeks ago include the excavation of garage-like rooms in the rock face, stables, an eight-metre high cage and a parameter wall which at some points is six metres high.

Moreover, concrete has been laid on various parts of the land and a number of electricity poles have also been erected, while an electric gate has been installed at the entrance. 

The preliminary application submitted to the PA describes the project as a “private collection of exotic animals”.