The government has apologised to zoo owner Anton Cutajar for proposing new laws that he disagrees with, and has given him control of Buskett to make amends.
Yesterday, Cutajar – who owns the illegally built Arka ta’ Noè zoo in Siġġiewi – posted a video on Facebook railing against new rules proposed by the animal welfare ministry, which, among other things, would disallow the public from touching wild animals in zoos.
“I would like to extend my sincerest apologies to Mr Cutajar for causing him such distress. It was never our intention to upset him,” said agriculture and fisheries minister Anton Refalo, under whose remit animal welfare falls.
Refalo added that the proposed laws had been withdrawn.
“I’ve spoken to Ian Borg and Aaron Farrugia, and as a token of our contrition – and as a sign of our commitment to rewarding Labour-supporting, gun-toting interest groups with a history of breaking the law – the government would also like to offer the entirety of Buskett to him and his animals, free of charge.”
The wooded area is now the sole property of Anton Cutajar. The zoo owner’s animals, including 17 tigers and various other wild cats, will now have 30 hectares of land in which to roam freely. The deal also includes Verdala Palace, previously the summer residence of the President.
The only condition of the deal is that Ian Borg must be allowed to enter the park whenever he wants and chop down any tree of his choosing.
“While we will leave the issue of public access to Mr Cutajar’s discretion, we would strongly encourage people to avoid Buskett from now on,” Refalo said.
