Officials at the Environment Department of the regional government are inspecting zoos and animal exhibition centres around the region to determine whether or not conditions in these centres comply with new European legislation.

Félix Gómez Guillamón, coordinator of the regional inspections and vet at the Environment Delegation, states that there are sixteen such centres in the province of Malaga - which represents half of the total number of animal parks in Andalucía. So far twelve centres in Malaga have passed the inspection and presented the necessary documentation, and just four - which remain open - have been classified as not meeting all of the requirements."The deficiencies in those cases are minimal" maintains Gómez, "it's really just a case of improving a pool, or handing in documents, so the department has given these centres a reasonable period of time to resolve the issues".

Aims

The new law has two main aims: one is to ensure animal health and well-being standards as well as public safety. The second is for centres to promote conservation programmes for animals in danger of extinction and increase the fauna in these cases.

The Environment Department has confirmed that one of the most important aspects of the plan is "to convert zoos into educational and conservational centres instead of mere exhibition places".

The new framework sets out an advanced veterinary care programme which will guarantee adequate clinical care. Similarly, an appropriate animal nutritional plan and prophylactic (preventing animals from contracting virus and bacteria) measures such as exhaustive cleansing and disinfection, have been established. In cases in which animals do contract an illness, vaccination, defleaing, worming etc. is to be carried out.

Centres are also obliged to protect wild fauna and contribute to the conservation of biodiversity.

Gómez also explains that zoos should recreate - with as much precision as possible - ecosystems and natural habitats. He singled out Fuengirola, Senda and Selwo Aventura zoos for excellence in this aspect in Malaga .

Pilar R. Quirós - 25/04/2007
SUR in English