Animal welfare standards at the illegal Montekristo zoo have improved slightly in the past few months but many animals are still being held in enclosures deemed too small by regulations, a veterinary officer told a court this morning. The company, he said, had promised that all enclosures would be up to standard in three weeks’ time.

Dr Duncan Chetcuti Ganado, from the Veterinary Regulation Directorate, was giving evidence in the case against Charles Polidano, known as ic-Caqnu.

The 55-year old owner of Montekristo Estates is being charged with operating an unlicensed zoo, keeping wild animals without the proper licences, keeping unregistered animals, animal cruelty – mainly because of a lack of space in the enclosures – and relapsing. He is pleading not guilty to the charges.

Dr Chetcuti Ganado told Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona that he had carried out his first inspection at the Montekristo zoo in 2012. He had found that Montekristo did not have a zoo licence and standards at the animal enclosures were inadequate. The veterinary officer said the authorities had asked Mr Polidano to apply for the necessary permits and the process is ongoing. Mr Polidano was given a written warning but a 2014 inspection found that nothing had changed. Ic-Caqnu was then issued with a second warning.

Pictured: Charles Polidano

Dr Chetcuti Ganado said he has since carried out a number of other inspections and things have improved slightly but the situation is still far from satisfactory. His main concern, he said, was the small size of the feline enclosures. Apart from the size, the cages were also barren and lacked surroundings, such as trees to keep the animals distracted. Initially there were other concerns, including the fact that children could put their hands through the enclosures holding the lions, tigers and other big cats.

Other animals, like cows, oxen, zebras, deer, llamas and alpacas were also being kept in inadequate spaces. “We are working with Montekristo to bring these enclosures in line with the minimum requirements established by law.”

The veterinary officer also said Montekristo had held several pigs at the zoo without the proper licences. Pigs require a special and distinct licence as the law does not distinguish between domestic and farm species. Questioned by defence lawyer Michael Schriha, Dr Chetcuti Ganado confirmed that the pigs have since been removed from the premises. He denied that pigs such as those that had formed part of the Montekristo zoo can be bought at pet shops.

Dr Chetcuti Ganado said things had improved slightly and he had been told by Montekristo Estates that all animal housing would be up to standard in three weeks’ time. But Dr Chetcuti Ganado said that, in the meantime, several of the animals, most notably the cats, were still being held in small enclosures. This is still considered to be a form of cruelty.

Inspector Jurgen Vella is prosecuting. Lawyers Michael and Lucio Schriha and Jean Paul Sammut are appearing for Mr Polidano. The case continues on 2 June when the Magistrate may carry out an on site visit.