The Animal Liberation Malta movement have asked the government to withdraw the zoo license of the Mediterraneo water park. This follows the death of three dolphins at their facility, with the group penning a letter to parliamentary secretary for animal welfare Alicia Bugeja Said. 

The activists accused the marine park of covering up the death of the three animals in the span of a month, as the dolphins died between August and September 2021. 

The group have stated that they hope that the investigation being conducted by the commissioner for animal welfare Alison Bezzina could indicate how the Veterinary Regulations Directorate carried out investigations into the case. 

‘This case is also being actively supported internationally by organisations concerned with dolphin welfare; UK based NGO Marine Connection and also followed by US based Dolphin Project’ the group said. 

‘Malta has long banned animal circuses which back then was clearly a progressive move in favour of animals. However Mediterraneo Park, much to the constant opposition of animal and environmental NGOs, was given a license to operate as a zoo!’ 

‘Animal Liberation Malta believes that the Maltese government should be at the forefront for the safeguard of cetacean welfare and marine life and that their protection should be given priority especially by your secretariat which is also responsible for Animal Welfare and not only fisheries. We believe that Mediterraneo should change into a rehab centre for aquatic species where true conservation can take place. Thus, putting Malta as the unique leading Mediterranean rehabilitation centre.’

#MaltaDaily