Animals Are Regularly Checked At Petting Farm, Parks Malta Assures As Playground Is Closed Off For Maintenance
Parks Malta has assured that all animals kept at Ta’ Qali’s petting farm are regularly checked by veterinarians to ensure good health is maintained.
Lovin Malta previously reported on rats being spotted at the petting farm, along with dirty pond water and a playground which has been left in a derelict state. Parents visiting the park also claimed that the animals appeared to be in a bad state.
“Allegations that ‘animals are in such a bad state that they are just waiting to die’ are also unfounded. All animals at the petting farm are regularly checked by veterinarians to ensure they are in good health,” a representative for Parks Malta assured.
“The Office of the Commissioner of Animal Welfare also conducts surprise inspections to ensure the wellbeing of the petting farm’s animals,” it said.
“Areas allocated for each animal at the petting farm exceed the minimum requirements set by the Animal Welfare Department and Parks Malta are continuously improving the environment of these farm animals.”
“The animals are left to roam freely in their pens, each of which has easy access to shaded covered areas equipped with heavy-duty air circulation fans.”
It also explained how the majority of animals living at the petting farm were rescued from harmful conditions by the authorities or else donated at an advanced age.
“Many of them are now old and may suffer from age-related health conditions. Parks Malta is committed to continuing to provide the best care possible for these animals, as they continue to bring many visitors closer to nature while raising awareness of animal welfare,” it said.
Another issue which was highlighted was that of the children’s playground being covered in plastic material and left closed off. Parks Malta explained how it is currently carrying out maintenance and repairs to the farm’s play equipment.
With regards to rats being spotted running along enclosures by visiting families, Parks Malta simply said that this is possible with any open space in the countryside.
“While any open space in the countryside, especially farms with animals, can attract rodents, allegations of a rat infestation at the Ta’ Qali petting farm are untrue,” it said.
“Parks Malta has a rodent control programme in place to mitigate any such possibilities. There are numerous bait boxes in safe places around the Petting Farm. Parks Malta workers monitor these boxes regularly to ensure that action is immediately taken if there are indications of increased rodents.”
It also claimed that the cage where rats were allegedly seen running along is currently not in use.
“It was upgraded this summer and is now ready to host new birds that will soon be welcomed at the farm,” it said.
Have you visited the petting farm recently?
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