Regulating the keeping of animals in zoos : de facto and de jure

Abstract

Animal zoos, in some form or another, have existed for a very long time, and are present in practically every country. The modern zoo started to develop in England in the Victorian era, and since then there has been a shift in the purpose of zoos – from that of establishments simply displaying animals to a curious public, to institutions that are making a concerted effort to commit to the conservation of biological diversity and public education. Recently, there has been a noticeable increase in the amount of zoos operating in Malta. Although the aim of such zoos is purported to be that of contributing to conservation and public education, their presence raises issues with regard to legislation and enforcement, and concerns regarding the impact such zoos may have on animal welfare issues, environmental issues, as well as public health and safety issues. The aim of this thesis is to identify the various legal obligations incumbent upon zoo operators in Malta, to identify the de facto conditions which zoos in Malta are actually operating under, and to compare Maltese zoos to their counterparts in the European Union. Subsequent to such analysis, this thesis will aim to suggest a way forward for the future of zoos in Malta, both in terms of legislation, as well as de facto measures including enforcement and infrastructure. If zoos are to remain present and operating in Malta, it is vital that we ensure that zoos operate in a proper manner to diminish the chance of serious consequences.