The Rural Affairs and the Environment Ministry is donating the sum of Lm500 (€1164.69) to the Park of Friendship, following the theft that occurred at the Animal Park, two weekends ago.

The Lm500 (EUR1164.69) will be used towards replacing some of the 13 animals which were stolen. Although it will take months to retrain the new animals, it is important for the children who use the facilities at Park of Friendship that the animals be replaced, the Department of Information said. The interaction with animals can have a very positive impact on the children’s quality of life; and the potential benefits of animal assisted therapy cannot be under- estimated.

This is the most recent of a number of initiatives that the government has embarked on in support of Park of Friendship. In a bid to create a synergy between the Sant’Antnin Plant and proposed Family Park, and the Park of Friendship which is located nearby, the Family Park will include a number of amenities accessible to children with disability and their families. The amenities include sports facilities, horse riding tracks and a space where the Animal Park can be extended.

The ministry said that it is exploring how waste heat, generated by the upgraded Sant’Antnin plant, may be utilised to pre-heat the therapeutic pool at the park. While condemning such senseless acts of theft, the Rural Affairs and Environment Minister George Pullicino, wishes to reiterate the park’s plea to encourage anyone who may have any information regarding the theft to come forward.