Description

In order to establish and operate a zoo in the Republic of Cyprus, one needs to obtain a licence by the Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment.

Eligibility Criteria

The Veterinary Services grant a license for the operation of a zoo in the Republic of Cyprus provided that:

• the personnel employed for the handling of animals possess a licence as a professional animal carer or trainer;
• a town planning permit for the establishment is available;
• the premises are supervised by a registered veterinarian.

• the personnel of the zoo must have not been convicted for any crime related to animal abuse;
• the zoo premises were built after attaining the required town planning permit that was issued in accordance to the relevant legislation;
• the zoo must employ adequate number of personnel, skillful in maintaining wild animals;
• animal enclosures must ensure the accommodation of the animals under conditions which aim to satisfy the biological and conservation requirements of the animals. Moreover, the health and welfare of animals as well as the hygiene of the enclosures must be ensured;
• the zoo must operate under the supervision of a registered veterinarian in accordance to the Exercise of Veterinary Practice and Registration of Veterinary Surgeons Law;
• the protection and safety of both the animals and the visitors must be ensured.

• copy of licence of professional animal carer or trainer, required for the personnel employed for the handling of animals;
• original list of all the wild animals proposed to be kept at the zoo;
• copy of a topographic plan and a detailed architectural plan for the premises;
• copy of the town planning permit;
• original document describing the conditions under which the animals will be accommodated. More specifically, the document must include a description of the proposed enclosure plan for all the wild animal species as well as the proposed measures to be taken for the enrichment of the enclosures;
• copy of proposed programme for animal husbandry which must include preventive and curative veterinary care and nutrition;
• copy of proposed measures of preventing any animal escape;
• copy of the proposed action plan to be followed in case of fire, flood or other natural disaster;
• original certificate of criminal record for the applicant as well as the personnel employed for the handling of animals;
• an original document containing information regarding any financial aid or funding for the implementation of the particular project;
• an application examination fee of €34 (payable by cash, cheque or bank transfer).

• The license owner must obtain and hold a valid insurance policy regarding any damage or injury caused by an animal kept at the zoo.
• The license owner must keep up to date records of the zoo´s animal collection.
• The licence owner must comply with the provisions of the Protection and Welfare of Animals (Keeping of Wild Animals in Zoos) Regulations and the provisions of the Protection and Welfare of Animals Law.