Almuñecar Zoo transfers its remaining animals

TRANSFER of the remaining animals from the Peña Escrita Zoo has now taken place, over a year since its closure.

Two lionesses, eight coatis, 18 porcupines, one monkey and 18 lemurs were transferred to Belgium and Holland this week. 

The zoo, which was never legal, was closed following a raft of infringements, including  absence of permits, poor condition of its animals, negligent management, undocumented animals, animal deaths and uncontrolled breeding.

In September 2015, the town council of Almuñécar contacted The Foundation for the Protection of Animals, FAADA, to relocate the first animals from the facility after it was shut down. 

FAADA technicians travelled to Peña Escrita, both to help coordinate the transfers, as well as to check the status of the remaining animals in the park. All animals were then anaesthetised by the park’s veterinarians, and after a day and a half of travel they arrived safely to their respective shelters, where they will spend time in quarantine, watched over by specialists.

Animals transferred over the last year include Canadian wolves, Iberian wolves, hyenas and predatory birds that were placed in zoos in Sevilla, Cordoba and the Foundation Xabier Maiztegui respectively.  This week’s transfer marks the completion of the process.