PN MP Mario Galea has called on people to boycott zoos if they care about animals.

Speaking in Parliament, he did not blame the government alone for problems stemming from the trade of exotic animals, and said past PN administrations were also to blame.

He said that the government's White Paper that had proposed the prohibition of big cat zoos was good, but noted that it stopped short. The clause in question had been removed soon after the White Paper was presented last year.

"We voted against circuses, but don't condemn zoos that are continuing to grow."

The MP also questioned how exotic animals are being brought into Malta.

"Don't go to zoos, don't take your children," he said. He added that Malta is not a suitable place for zoos, stressing that the country does not have experts on such animals and that they are not properly cared for.