A Bengal tiger, one of the world's endangered species, was yesterday discovered cavorting in an air-conditioned room on the roof of a warehouse in Mosta, sources said.
The three-month-old cub, a golden tabby, which is said to have cost its owner some €23,000, was being well cared for, fed chickens so it gets its daily requirement of lean protein and had a sizeable pen to roam in.
The discovery was made after a raid by members of the Animal Welfare Department, the police's Administrative Law Enforcement and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority's Environment Protection Department.
When contacted, Animal Welfare director Mario Spiteri confirmed the cub was found and that the raid had been carried out after receiving several anonymous phone calls reporting the sighting of a tiger.
The authorities decided the cub should remain with the owner until investigations established how it was brought in and whether the owner had the necessary paperwork to import it.
The population of Bengal tigers in the Indian subcontinent is estimated to be between 1,300 and 1,500 and the species is in danger of extinction due to over-hunting by poachers and illicit trade. Habitat loss is another threat.
The tigers are poached for their coats and used for components to make various traditional medicines. Many Asian cultures have an ingrained belief the tiger is a potent source of healing power. Tiger bone and other parts of the animal are thought to cure rheumatism, enhance longevity and treat impotence, among others.
A female Bengal tiger is considerably smaller than its male counterpart, weighing 140 kilograms and is eight feet long, including its tail. A fully-grown adult can consume about 30 kilograms of meat at a time but can survive up to three weeks without food.
Martin Seychell, Mepa's environment director, said that, while he could not enter into the merits of this particular case, tigers were protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites).
First, this species could not be captured in the wild and for it to be imported into the island there had to be movement permits issued from the country of origin and the importing country.
"There are strict trade permits and its importation would require consent by the authorities of both sides. The animal would need to have an entire history to ensure it has been born and bred in captivity. Cites has the strictest regulations," Mr Seychell said.
Asked whether the authorities were witnessing a trend of exotic animals being imported into Malta, Mr Seychell said he had mostly come across snakes and monkeys but it was unusual to find carnivores, which were difficult to handle and keep. He said carnivores usually had a territory the size of Malta to roam in the wild.
Mr Seychell has also come across species that were not endemic to the island, such as bull frogs and spiders, which could cause problems if they were let loose and bred.
"Some people are taking crazy risks and bringing in venomous animals, posing a huge risk to themselves and those around them. In such cases the authorities won't have the antidote if anybody is poisoned," he said, warning against such practices.