CYPRUS HAS been reported to the EU for non-enforcement of directives relating to national law on zoos.
The European network to end the keeping of wild animals in captivity (ENDCAP), and local animal rights group ARC reported Cyprus on the grounds that none of the approximately ten zoos operating on the island meet requirements set by the EU.
“On October 13, ENDCAP, together with the President of the NGO, ARC, submitted a written report to the permanent representative of the Republic of Cyprus in Brussels for Veterinary issues Mr Christodoulos Pipis,” said ARC President Kyriakos Kyriakou, who was also speaking on behalf of the Green Party.
“Mr. Pipis was given a list of establishments (although there may be more) where, following a scientific investigation, it was judged that they do not comply even with the most basic needs of the animals they house and have not adopted the provisions of the directive.”
According to Kyriacou, none of the approximately ten zoos operating on the island meet requirements set by EU and national law. The zoos do not have the necessary licenses from the Veterinary Services, while animals are kept in conditions that do not comply with the relevant EU Directive, or by the provisions of a law passed in 2003 that adopted the Directive into domestic law.
“Cyprus is one of the countries that continue to break the law, ignoring or overlooking the EU Directive on Zoos. Spain has already been reported and is facing serious problems with fines in the range of many million euro,” said Kyriakou.
Although the fact that zoos in Cyprus do not have licenses or meet requirements was common knowledge among those interested in animal welfare, their views are now supported by evidence.
Specifically, an undercover ENDCAP representative visited Cyprus approximately three months ago and had toured zoos throughout the island to record conditions. The findings were summed up in a report that backs ENDCAP’s claims against Cyprus at the EU, Kyriacou said.
“The evaluations and results of the scientific research will be analysed and a report drafted, which will be published in approximately two months. If by then Cyprus has not taken steps to face the problems and there is no progress on the enforcement of the Directive, then the negative findings for Cyprus and the report will become available to the European Commission and other EU institutions,” he said.
The Greens are also outraged over an announcement by the Ministry of Agriculture for a contract bid for undertaking research for the creation of a Zoo in Cyprus. The research alone will cost €40,000, while the creation of a National Park-type zoo is expected to be exceedingly costly.
“Who will this study serve? If it is to create a Zoo in Limassol, a study has already been performed and cost more or less the same, while the scheme had been abandoned due to the costs that would arise from the Zoo’s operation and the cost of transferring the zoo. That study ended up in the bin. Will this new study solve the problem of the existing ten illegal zoos?” Kyriacou said.
Meanwhile, the living conditions of a raccoon confined in a small cage initially designed to house birds at Larnaca Municipal Zoo has inspired a YouTube video urging the Mayor of Larnaca to try living in a cage to understand how the raccoon feels.
A demonstration calling for the closure of Larnaca Zoo will take place tomorrow at 11am at Larnaca Municipal Gardens. The protest is being organised by the Green Party, the Group for the protection of Ancient Trees (OPADE) and animal rights NGOs.
