Regulatory controversy surrounding Melios Zoo in Agioi Trimithias

The Melios Zoo park in Agioi Trimithias, Cyprus, has recently returned to the spotlight following an incident involving the escape of a bear. This event has reignited a long-standing public debate regarding the facility's legal status and operational standards, which has persisted for over two decades without a clear resolution.

Christodoulos Pipis, the director of the Veterinary Services, recently raised serious concerns regarding the facility's compliance. He reported that the zoo's operating license expired in 2017 and alleged that the park has engaged in unauthorized construction, including the fencing of state-owned land, while failing to comply with town planning directives. These accusations have highlighted a pattern of inter-departmental blame-shifting between various state services responsible for oversight.

The ongoing situation has drawn sharp criticism from the media and the public, with critics describing the state's inability to resolve the status of the zoo as a failure of governance. There is growing pressure to clarify whether the facility is operating illegally; if so, stakeholders are calling for its immediate closure and the relocation of the animals to sanctuaries abroad. The future of the park remains uncertain as authorities continue to exchange allegations regarding permit failures and regulatory non-compliance.