Without the necessary permits, the Melios zoo in Agioi Trimithia continues to operate. The facilities do not have a zoo operating license and planning permission. Nevertheless, the park continues to receive an audience, while at the same time maintaining a website where animals and birds are advertised, some of which are available for sale.
The case resurfaced on the occasion of a recent incident of a bear escaping from the premises, an incident that, although it ended without problems, highlighted the safety gaps and the lack of measures to protect the public.
At the same time, court decisions are pending to terminate the use and demolition of cages that were arbitrarily erected both on unlicensed plots and on adjacent state land where deer are kept.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (YGAAP) in coordination with the EDA of Nicosia and the Veterinary Services are promoting a plan for the removal of animals and the management of the situation. The authorities clarify that the premises are not licensed and the State cannot guarantee the safety of visitors. On the other hand, the owner of the Melios zoo constantly makes complaints to the Police against the competent authorities.
In 2025, the competent Services (YGAAP, Department of Environment, Department of Forests, Game and Fauna Service, Veterinary Services) decided to draw up a plan in order to finally settle the issue of animal protection and contacts were made with international animal welfare organizations, for the possible removal of the animals. However, it was found that several of the animals did not carry accompanying documents and could not be adopted by these organisations. Thus, it was decided to register these animals, through inspection, without, however, an exact recording of the species and number of animals in each premises and for all types of animals.
Following the court decisions for the demolition of specific premises, in the midst of foot-and-mouth disease, in May 2026, a meeting was held between the EOA Nicosia, the YGAAP and the KY, during which an effort was made to coordinate in order to draw up a plan for the removal of animals at least from the premises for which the demolition decree was issued. The YGAAP requested that a specific topographic map be sent by the HOA of Nicosia in which the premises to be demolished can be seen and the relevant was forwarded after being sent to the KY, for the recording of the items in the specific premises and the preparation of a management plan.
Based on KAA 95/2021, "Regulations for the possession and sale of animals issued under the Animal Protection and Welfare Laws 1994 to 2025", the affected person should have declared to the KYs all the animals that are not allowed to be owned and which he owned. The timetable declaration expired with a transitional period in 2021. However, the affected person did not declare the animals he owns. It no longer seems that wild large animals are imported for zoo purposes, at least by him.
The history of the zoo
Melios Zoo Park was first licensed on September 26, 2012 with a five-year validity until September 25, 2017. The permit concerned a specific list of approved animal species and was linked to strict conditions such as keeping an animal register, third party liability insurance, suitable living conditions.
However, on September 25, 2017, the license expired and was not renewed due to non-compliance with the legislation (lack of registration, non-renewal of insurance policy, etc.) and urban planning violations. The owner appealed to Justice, but the Administrative and then the Supreme Court vindicated the Republic, upholding the legality of the decision not to renew the license.
Despite the convictions in criminal courts following complaints from the Veterinary Services, the penalties imposed proved to be non-deterrent, with the result that the space continues to operate. For the protection of students, the Ministry of Education has been officially informed to prevent school visits to the site.
The owner was initially registered in the Register of Intra-Community Trade Merchants and Enterprises since 2004. However, he took advantage of this status to import wild and exotic animals from abroad, transporting them under the guise of a zoo or pet shop, without the required pre-approvals and health checks.
On July 4, 2017, the Veterinary Services proceeded to permanently delete him from the Register of Traders. This decision was appealed to the Administrative Court, which on December 20, 2022 rejected the owner's appeal, emphasizing that the Veterinary Services acted on the basis of established illegalities and illegal use of premises for animal trafficking.
According to the data, the affected person used to send notifications of cargo arrivals during non-working hours or on weekends/holidays. In addition, it imported animals through intra-community trade without submitting notifications to the TRACES system, bringing the authorities before a fait accompli.
The operation of the pet shop
The pet shop operated within the same plot, but the law required its complete separation from the zoo premises.
With the introduction of the new legislative framework for livestock stores in 2021 (RAA 95/2021), the owner submitted a licensing application around 2025. The application was rejected by the Veterinary Services for urban planning reasons, as the Department of Urban Planning clarified that the exercise of commercial activity is prohibited in this plot. The case is pending again before the Administrative Court.
Lions, crocodiles, bears and jaguars...
The owner's dispute with the Veterinary Services dates back almost two decades and was marked by a series of incidents that reached the courts:
2008: Lions and Jaguars. Importing animals from the Netherlands/Germany without approved accommodation facilities. The animals remained in a truck at the port of Limassol and were re-exported.
2010: Seizure and euthanasia of 20 crocodiles. Importing 20 Cayman crocodiles from the Netherlands without proper detention facilities. Due to the owner's refusal to arrange for their reshipment, the Veterinary Services proceeded to confiscate and euthanize them.
2016: The case of the three white lions. Attempt to import three white lions from Poland. Authorities initially prevented the flight, but then the animals were illegally transported and placed in an unlicensed plot. An administrative fine of €5,000 was imposed for this violation, which was upheld by the Administrative Court in December 2022.
2023: The existence of two bears was found, without accompanying documents.
2021–2026: Uncontrolled occupation. Despite the implementation of the legislation (KAA 95/2021) that obliged the declaration of all non-permitted animals he owned, the owner never complied.
