ADPD – The Green Party, ilu jsemma’ leħnu kontra t-tjassir tal-annimali ġewwa zoos. B’mod konsistenti, sħaqna li l-annimali huma kreaturi konxji, li kapaċi jgħaddu minn biża’ u tbatija. Nemmnu li qatt mhu etiku li tikkonfina annimal f’daqsxejn ta’ gaġġa, lil hinn mill-ambjent naturali tiegħu. L-annimal mhux riżors li nistgħu nużaw kif irridu u bla skrupli, sabiex jipprovdi divertiment għall-pubbliku. Ebda intrapriża m’għandha tibbenefika u tikkapitalizza mit-tbatija ta’ dawn il-ħlejjaq.
Il-Malti jgħid li bil-flus, tista’ toħloq triq fil-baħar. Mark Zerafa, kelliem f’isem ADPD-The Green Party qal, “Donnu f’dan il-pajjiż, negozjanti kbar u oħrajn li għandhom aċċess għall-politikanti, malajr isibu kif iduru mal-liġi jew jiskapulawha għal kollox sabiex jilħqu l-għanijiet tagħhom. Bi ħlas ta’ multa modesta ta’ €57,000, id-diriġenti taż-zoo hekk imsejjaħ terapewtiku tal-Arka ta’ Noè xejnu l-kontravenjzjonijiet li kellhom pendenti, u akkwistaw il-barka sabiex ikabbru l-faċilità tagħhom, allajbierek fuq art ODZ, bil-bini fost l-oħrajn ta’ gaġeġ ġodda sabiex it-tjassir tal-annimali jkompli.”
Fl-istess waqt, diversi għaqdiet u individwi li għandhom għal qalbhom il-benesseri tal-annimali esprimew it-tħassib u l-korla tagħhom, hekk kif inħareġ il-permess sabiex Montekristo Estates ikompli bl-operat taz-zoo tiegħu. ADPD jissieħeb ma’ dawn l-għaqdiet u jikkundanna bla ebda riżerva n-nuqqas ta’ trasparenza dwar kif ġie deċiż li l-liċenzja kellha tinħareġ. Hemm bżonn li l-awtoritajiet jiċċaraw kif u għaliex il-permess ingħata, minkejja li hu magħruf li fil-passat riċenti, Montekristo Estates kienu risponsabbli għal trattament mhux xieraq tal-annimali, bi ksur ċar tal-liġi.
“Hemm bżonn bidla fil-kultura. Mhux aċċettabli li min għandu l-miljuni jew ħbieb fil-politika ma jintlaħaqx mil-liġi. Sfreġju fuq art ODZ jibqa’ sfreġju. Ħsara permanenti ma titħassarx bi ħlas ta’ multa simbolika. Il-ħruġ ta’ dokument ta’ liċenzja għal zoo ma jtaffi bl-ebda mod it-tbatija tal-annimali. Għandha tkun biss l-etika li tiggwida l-mod li bih nittrattaw l-annimali,” temm jgħid Zerafa.
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Money, the law and building zoos
ADPD-The Green Party has consistently raised its voice against the exploitation of animals in zoos. We have consistently maintained that animals are sentient creatures, capable of experiencing fear and suffering. We believe that it is never ethical to confine an animal in a tiny cage, far removed from its natural environment. Animals are not resources that we can use as we please, without scruples, simply to provide entertainment for the public. No business should profit or capitalise from the suffering of these creatures.
As the Maltese saying goes, with money, you can build a road across the sea (…bil-flus tibni triq fil-baħar). Mark Zerafa, spokesperson for ADPD-The Green Party, said:
“It seems that in this country, wealthy businesspeople and others with access to politicians are quick to find ways to circumvent the law, or disregard it altogether, in order to achieve their objectives. By paying a relatively modest fine of €57,000, the directors of the so-called therapeutic zoo at Noah’s Ark settled their outstanding contraventions and secured the green light to expand their facility, on ODZ land, of all places, including by constructing new cages so that the exploitation of animals can continue.”
Meanwhile, several organisations and individuals concerned with animal welfare have expressed their concern and outrage following the granting of a permit allowing Montekristo Estates to continue operating its zoo. ADPD-The Green Party stands in solidarity with these organisations and unequivocally condemns the lack of transparency surrounding the decision to grant the licence. The authorities must clarify how and why the permit was granted, despite the fact that Montekristo Estates is known to have been responsible for the improper treatment of animals in the recent past, in clear violation of the law.
“There is a need for a change in culture. It is unacceptable that millionaires or people close to politicians should remain beyond the reach of the law. Environmental destruction on ODZ land remains environmental destruction. Permanent damage cannot be undone by paying a symbolic fine. The issuing of a zoo licence does absolutely nothing to alleviate the suffering of animals. It is ethics alone that should guide the way we treat animals,” Zerafa concluded.
