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Stqarrija għall-Istampa 06-01-24 L-Uffiċċju tal-Kummissarju għall-Ħarsien tal-Annimali jindirizza s-sejba riċenti u allarmanti ta’ erba’ ljuni u leopard miżmuma f’gaġġa fin-Naxxar. L-Uffiċċju tal-Kummissarju rċieva bosta rapporti u talbiet mill-pubbliku għal azzjoni dwar dan il-każ, għaldaqstant, qed noħorġu din il-kjarifika formali. Filwaqt li nesprimu tħassib serju dwar dawn l-annimali li nstabu fin-Naxxar u qed insegwu s-sitwazzjoni mill-qrib, ir-responsabbiltà biex tinstab soluzzjoni għal din il-kwistjoni hija tad-Direttorat tar-Regolamenti Veterinarji (VRD). Fil-fatt, l-Uffiċċju tal-Kummissarju mhuwiex awtorizzat li jintervjeni jew jaġixxi direttament f’dan il-każ. Madankollu, jekk il-VRD jonqos milli jirrispondi fil-pront jew b’mod xieraq, l-Uffiċċju tal-Kummissarju għandu l-awtorità li jinvestiga l-funzjonijiet u l-ħidma tal-VRD skont l-Artikolu 44A tal-Att dwar it-Trattament Xieraq tal-Annimali. Waqt li għadna nistennew aktar żviluppi, s'issa, m'hemm l-ebda indikazzjoni li l-VRD aġixxa b'mod mhux xieraq. L-Uffiċċju tal-Kummissarju jinsab f’komunikazzjoni kontinwa mal-VRD u huwa mgħarraf u aġġornat dwar l-għażliet diversi li qed jiġu kkunsidrati biex tiġi żgurata s-sigurtà ta’ dawn l-annimali u biex jittejbu l-kundizzjonijiet li qed jgħixu fihom. F'dan il-punt, ma nafux liema soluzzjoni speċifika se tiġi implimentata iżda wissejna lill-VRD li hemm bżonn li tittieħed azzjoni b’mod urġenti. Huwa importanti li wieħed jifhem li l-annimali selvaġġi li jkunu trabbew fil-magħluq ma jistgħux jiġu rilaxxati fis-selvaġġ peress li dawn m'għandhomx il-ħiliet meħtieġa biex ifendu għal rashom. Barra minn hekk, hemm sfidi sinifikanti biex dawn jintbagħtu f’xi santwarju apposta barra minn Malta. Dawn it-tip ta’ santwarji huma rari, u hemm ħafna annimali oħra li qed jikkompetu għal dawn il-postijiet limitati; annimali li s-sitwazzjoni u ċ-ċirkostanzi tagħhom huma iżjed gravi u koroh, bħal dawk li jinsabu f’żoni ta’ gwerra li jieħdu prijorità. Għaldaqstant l-Uffiċċju tal-Kummissarju għandu rwol kruċjali li jagħmel rakkomandazzjonijiet lill-Ministeru responsabbli għall-ħarsien tal-annimali. F’dan il-każ, ir-rakkomandazzjoni tal-Kummissarju hija l-iżvilupp ta’ pjan urġenti u effettiv biex jiġu identifikati annimali selvaġġi illegali u mhux regolati f’Malta, u li jittieħdu l-passi kollha sabiex jiġi evitat li n-numri tagħhom ikomplu jiżdiedu. Minħabba l-ispazju u r-riżorsi limitati ta’ Malta mhux sostenibbli li nibqgħu inżiedu annimali bħal dawn, partikolarment meta jkunu abbandunati, bħal f’dan il-każ riċenti, għax il-Gvern m’għandux l-istruttura biex jakkomodahom u jmantniehom. Hemm bżonn li tittieħed azzjoni proattiva biex nipprevjenu li aktar annimali jsofru fil-magħluq u biex jiġi evitat ir-riskju reali ħafna li jaħarbu xi annimali selvaġġi u jikkawżaw aktar traġedji. Il-prijorità dejjem għandha tkun it-trattament xieraq tal-annimali taħt il-kura u l-kontroll tal-bniedem, u għalhekk inħeġġu lill-awtoritajiet kollha biex jikkollaboraw u jieħdu l-passi meħtieġa biex intejbu s-sitwazzjoni mill-aktar fis. _______________________________________________________ Press Statement 06-01-24 The Office of the Commissioner for Animal Welfare addresses the recent and alarming discovery of four lions and a leopard confined within a cage in Naxxar. The Office of the Commissioner has received numerous reports and requests for action regarding this case, prompting the issuance of this formal clarification. Whilst we express our deep concern for the welfare and treatment of these majestic animals and are closely monitoring the situation, the responsibility for finding a solution to this issue lies with the Veterinary Regulations Directorate (VRD). The Commissioner’s Office is not authorised to intervene or act directly in this case. However, should it become apparent that the VRD has failed to respond promptly or appropriately, the Commissioner’s Office retains the authority to investigate the functions and workings of the VRD as per article 44A of the Animal Welfare Act. As of now, there is no indication that the VRD has acted inadequately, and we await further developments. The Commissioner’s Office is in ongoing communication with the VRD and is aware of the various options being considered to ensure the safety and improved living conditions of these animals. At this stage, we have visibility into which specific solution will be implemented or the timeline for its execution. We have made it clear to the VRD that swift action is essential to secure the well-being of these animals. It is important to note that captive wild animals cannot be released into the wild as they lack the necessary survival skills to fend for themselves. Additionally, sending them abroad to sanctuaries is a viable option but poses significant challenges. There are very few sanctuaries available, and these animals would compete with other wildlife in even more dire situations, such as those from war zones, which are in greater need of safe havens. In addition, the Commissioner’s Office plays a crucial role in making recommendations to the Ministry responsible for Animal Welfare. In this instance, The Commissioner’s recommendation is the development of an urgent and effective plan to identify illegal and unregulated wild animals in Malta and to prevent their proliferation. Malta’s limited space and resources make it unsustainable to cater to the needs of such animals, particularly when they are abandoned, since the Government does not have the capacity or structure to care for these animals. A proactive approach is necessary to prevent animals suffering in captivity and to avoid the very real risk for wild animals escaping and causing further tragedies. Ensuring the safety and welfare of animals under human care remains our utmost priority. We urge all relevant authorities to collaborate and take decisive action to uphold and enhance animal welfare standards in Malta.