News | Sunday, 18 October 2009

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Zebras, foxes and skunks among exotic animal imports

James Debono
Four zebras, three Prezwalski horses, various birds of prey for falconry or breeding, parrots, two red foxes and two arctic foxes, two skunks and a meerkat were legally imported to Malta from other EU member states, but no big cats – such as the Bengal tiger discovered recently in a Mosta warehouse – have been recorded in the past three years.
Species such as these, imported as pets and not for commercial purposes, feature in the list of exotic animals brought to Malta.
All these animals were imported and notified with the Veterinary Division, together with a veterinary certificate and a passport or identification document, which is obligatory when animals are imported to Malta.
According to the environment ministry, following arrival in Malta, animals are conveyed directly, under official supervision, to the inspection site or to a quarantine centre when this is justified from a veterinary viewpoint. “We also carry out surveillance in a number of ports to identify any movements that are not declared.”
The animal may not leave the quarantine unless veterinary checks have been carried out to the satisfaction of official veterinarian, and when these checks have been paid for. “No imports of live animals for commercial purposes where recorded in the BIP database except tropical fish, turtles and accompanied pet animals from third countries.
Malta has three approved Border Inspection Posts (BIP) for animals, but only two of them are approved for live animals, namely Malta International Airport and Zammit Dock at Valletta.
Products of animal origin used for human and non-human consumption are inspected at the Freeport’s BIP. The BIP administration must also keep a record of the subsequent destination of all the animals which enter Malta.

Malta exotica

Arctic and Red Foxes

The Arctic Fox lives in the most frigid extremes on the planet, its fur changes color with the seasons: in the winter white to blend in with snow, while in the summer it changes to brown. They eat lemmings, mice, birds’ eggs and flightless young. They often follow polar bears to scavenge on seal kill remains.
The red fox, which is more common, can be found in the wild in most of the United States and Canada, Europe and Asia. When kept as pets, foxes will spray to mark their territory, leaving a strong smelling musk all over the house. As with some of the wildest breeds of dog, an owner needs to spend several hours a day with the fox, every day, to keep them in check.

Zebras

Zebras adapt well to life in captivity, and make popular zoo animals. Although they are less cooperative than horses, they can be tamed and trained to pull carriages, but are very difficult to ride. But like any other wild animal, zebras can pose a danger to people if not handled well.

Meerkats

Meerkats are small burrowing animals, living in large underground networks with multiple entrances which they leave only during the day. They inhabit the Kalahari desert in Botswana and South Africa. They are very social, living in colonies averaging 20–30 members.

Przewalski Horse

Considered the only remaining truly wild ‘horse’ in the world and perhaps the closest living wild relative of the domesticated horse. The current world population of these horses is descended from nine horses bred in captivity in 1945, which were descended from approximately 15 wild horses captured in 1900. At present, there is a free-ranging population of 248 animals in the wild. 1,500 live in zoos. They are a wild breed, temperamental, stubborn, aggressive and difficult to train. According to the World Federation of Zoos up to five adult animals would require an outdoor enclosure of at least 800 m².

Skunks

Skunks are probably best known for their ability to spray foul-smelling fluid as a defense against predators. Most wild skunks spray only when injured or attacked, as a defense mechanism. The scent glands are usually removed in pet skunks at about four weeks of age. But this procedure is illegal in the United Kingdom. Skunks are very inquisitive and make good pets.

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