23 April 2007

MADRID – The European Commission criticised the state of Spain’s zoos, saying inspections are not carried out often enough and licences are granted on an irregular basis.

Animal rights groups have supported the criticism of the EC, which were made after a campaign alerting Brussels over the state of the zoos.

It comes after a brown bear was found dead in the zoo in Valladolid.

Alberto Diez, from Infozoos, said: “The situation in Spain’s zoos is dramatic.  In many they do not carry out regular inspections and do not complete the requirements to develop the zoo like conservation and education.”

Infozoos along with other animal rights groups, Depana, Born Free and Anda sent two reports to the EC about the condition of the zoos.

The EC said two problems emerged – the irregularity of inspections and concession of licences.

EC rules say zoos should be inspected before opening.

Animal rights groups reported the case of eight zoos where they claimed European norms had not been completed.

In one case, a lawyer gave two tigers and four bears which had been household pets which had been kept in the grounds of his mansion.   

But José María Cabrera, owner of Safari Madrid, said: “They have set upon small zoos to put pressure on the rest.”

[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news