SAN FULGENCIO TIGER FARM

SAN FULGENCIO TIGER FARM BELIEVED CLOSED
A RESIDENT of San Fulgencio has been rearing tigers for circuses without any authorisation.

For years passers-by in Las Pesqueras urbanisation by the River Segura have been able to hear and catch glimpses of tigers, lions and other wild animals including monkeys being kept in cages at the property.

National ombudsman María Luisa Cava de Llano revealed in her annual report that a neighbour made several complaints that she was in danger from the animals next door.

Councillor Mark Lewis told CBNews the town hall had been trying to take action since 2002. The situation was complicated as the tigers' owner was not the owner of the property.

"It took us years to trace the owner of the house as he does not live in Spain," he explained. "It was only after we finally managed to get him to receive official notices that the remaining tigers were removed, just a few weeks ago."

During this time the owner of the animals was able to continue his activity. The Defensor del Pueblo revealed the neighbour complained to the Guardia Civil environmental service SEPRONA, which sent a report to the courts in Orihuela. But the case was dropped for not constituting a criminal offence and so the ombudsman recommended the town hall restart its administrative proceedings.