Animal welfare groups demand MonteKristo licence confirmation before reopening

A coalition of animal welfare groups has called on authorities to prevent MonteKristo Animal Park from reopening on 5 and 6 September. The government has not publicly confirmed the facility holds a valid operating licence.

"Announcements of investigations and promises of action are not enforcement," the joint statement said. "A law that is repeatedly breached without meaningful consequences becomes little more than ink on paper."

The concern reflects a history of alleged breaches. In 2021, the operator was fined €22,000 after being found guilty of keeping wild animals in an unlicensed facility, failing to register animals and causing unnecessary suffering.

Last summer, the Planning Authority approved development at MonteKristo after the operator paid €1.8 million in fines and planning contributions, permitting structures that had been built illegally since at least 2008. But a planning permit cannot substitute for a proper operating licence or erase animal welfare violations, the organisations argue.

Vuċi għall-Annimali documented serious concerns regarding animal welfare and public safety during a 2025 visit. The group recorded dangerous animals being held on site and visitors coming perilously close to a tiger enclosure. They said that police reports were filed, and in August 2025 both police officers and animal welfare officials attended the site after reports of unlicensed animal exhibition.

In October 2025, the Animal Rights Ministry confirmed that an event at MonteKristo had included animal circus performances "in direct breach of the law". The permit was revoked, and enforcement action was promised, but the public has yet to be told of any outcome.

The groups, including the MSPCA, Animal Alliance and Gozo SPCA, demand that the government publish the establishment’s complete licensing status, animal inventory and inspection records before any reopening.