Lubango – The director of the National Institute for Biodiversity and Conservation (INBC), Miguel Xavier on Wednesday in the southern Huíla province that the case of a caged lion, with apparent mistreatment and looking unusually thin, in a tourist area in Lubango, Huíla Province, is an environmental crime.
Environment authorities have learnt of the case after an internet user published in the social media the animal caged in the premises of a famous restaurant in Lubango.
The situation led a delegation from the Ministry of the Environment, led by Miguel Xavier, to make a two-day visit to Lubango and Gambos.
They recommended that the animal be transferred from this location to a larger farm in Gambos, where from Friday it will begin a rehabilitation process and then be taken back to a suitable location.
Speaking to ANGOP, the official explained that from what he found, the complaint was true, as the animal was in a small space that was not appropriate for the type of animal and its age (one year and three months).
As for the allegations of mistreatment, he said it was not so true.
"The methodology of functionalism was not one of the most recommended, it is reprehensible, but the animal was not being mistreated," he said.
However, the director of the National Institute for Biodiversity and Conservation pointed out that according to the law, the act is an environmental crime.
According to him, the first stage is to remove the animal from those conditions and no resistance was observed from the businessman as he understood the situation and agreed.
Miguel Xavier said that the authorities should work to raise awareness in order to put an end to this type of case.
"What happens is that many have resorts and want to have animals as an attraction, but end up committing environmental crimes," he emphasised.
Another issue is the legal one, because for anyone to have access to any kind of animal, such as a lion, a protected animal, they need to have documentation.
"We are going to work to ensure that this type of situation does not happen again and in these terms, in terms of the legal issue, we have been working with the IDF, which has been contacting farms, and we have involved the SIC when the case becomes criminal issue," he explained.
The presence of wild animals in tourist areas in Huíla is common, but this was the first case of alleged mistreatment.
The team from the Ministry of the Environment was made up of the director of INBC, technicians, the administrator of Bicuar National Park, a representative from the forestry development institute (IDF), the acting provincial director of the Environment, Investigation Criminal Service (SIC) agents and two representatives from the AngoFauna Association.
MS/MRA/jmc
