WATCH: Maltese Animal Shelter Denounces Zoo After Guest Cuddles Tiger Inside Enclosure
One of Malta’s largest animal shelters, the MSPCA, has hit out at the Wildlife Park zoo in Rabat, questioning whether its treatment of animals is in line with the law.
The MSPCA published a video of a woman entering the tiger’s enclosure and playing with the tiger, accusing the zoo of acting like a circus and using its animals for human entertainment and profit.
“While animal circuses are banned from Malta, zoos get away with exhibiting animals doing tricks and posing for human entertainment and profit,” it said. “Woman gets manhandled roughly to avert a few close calls. We question whether an accident in this situation would be covered by insurance and whether animals are drugged before such exhibitions.”
It also warned that bears at the Wildlife Park have been seen pacing back and forth continuously, looking for an exit and walking on slippery floors.
“Does the animal welfare department believe such conditions are appropriate for the bears and are in line with educational requirements within the law?” the MSPCA asked.
It also accused the zoo of mistreating its lions by placing their enclosure close to its restaurant, therefore allowing guests to view them as they eat.
“Does Animal Welfare believe that having animals visible from tables like watching them on TV serve as a from of education?”
“Furthermore does Animal Welfare endorse that having animals see people dining and entertaining themselves as acceptable for their welfare? Does the animal welfare recognize that animals too have a right to a quite environment based on their natural routines? Is a restaurant nested in the middle of unsanitary animal housing compliant with health and safety regulations? Should animal carers not be banned from entering the restaurant kitchen?”
The animal shelter said it has raised its concerns with parliamentary secretary for animal welfare Clint Camilleri, as well as Health Minister Chris Fearne and Finance Minister Edward Scicluna, but has yet to receive a response.
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