White lions from Poland at Melios Zoo. Transport was blocked as early as 2016.

White lions imported from Poland have become the center of a dispute over the operations of Melios Zoo Park in Cyprus. Director of Veterinary Services Christodoulos Pipis accused the facility's owner of misleading Polish authorities when arranging the transport. Menelaos Menelaou denied this, asserting that he had used a permit to trade animals.

Archival publications show that the transport of three white lion cubs from Poland to Melios was blocked in Amsterdam in July 2016A few months later, the Cyprus Mail reported that three white lion cubs had arrived at the facility in August. The latest exchange of allegations stemmed from Saturday's bear incident, which we previously reported on CyprNews.

The accusation concerns the Polish authorities

A heated discussion took place on Monday, October 12, in the MEGA TV program "Enimerosi Tora".

According to Philenews, Pipis said that the documents issued for the white lions' transport from Poland were for transport to a zoo. However, Melios Zoo Park's permit for such operations was no longer valid.

The director accused the owner of misleading the Polish authorities. Menelaou denied the accusation, explaining that he imported the animals under a trade permit, and Cypriot authorities were aware of this.

He also questioned why he wasn't brought to justice for this transport, as the authorities considered it illegal. Pipis maintained his position, citing documents exchanged via the European Information System and ongoing proceedings.

This is an accusation made by the director of the services, which the owner denies – not a court finding confirming fraud against the Polish authorities.

From Poland via Amsterdam. The transport was stopped in 2016.

The Polish thread appeared in the Cypriot media ten years ago.

The Elemesos portal, citing the newspaper Phileleftheros, described three white lion cubs born in a park in Poland. The animals were transported to the Netherlands, from where they were supposed to fly to Cyprus.

However, the transport was stopped in Amsterdam after intervention by the Cypriot Veterinary Service. According to reports at the time, the service indicated that the location where Melios intended to keep the animals lacked permits.

Information about this blockade was also cited in the publication ShowTime-cy from July 27, 2016Both materials referred to the same account by "Phileleftheros", so they do not constitute two independent confirmations of the event.

The publications did not indicate the name of the Polish park or the animal seller.

Later, three white lion cubs arrived in Melios

"Cyprus Mail" in an article from January 8, 2017 reported that three white lion cubs arrived in Melios in August of the previous year.

The newspaper also described the intervention of the owner's lawyer, who contacted the ombudsman about the delays and additional costs associated with attempts to stop the transport.

Pipis said at the time that the lion cubs were imported without the consent of the Veterinary Service. He also pointed out loopholes in the then-current regulations regarding the trade in wild animals born in captivity and originating from EU countries.

The chronology suggests that the July blockade and August arrival may have involved the same three. However, we do not have documents identifying the animals or confirmation that Monday's charges relate specifically to this transport.

The owner refers to inspections and official documents

Menelaou argued during Monday's conversation that the authorities had known for years what animals were kept at the facility and had regularly inspected the facility.

He maintained that the animals were imported from European countries with official documents. He questioned why institutions allowed the transports if they considered them illegal.

The dispute also centered on his argument that the facility was operating as a farm. Pipis responded that the category of farms cited by the owner does not exist in Cyprus with the appropriate permits for keeping bears, lions, and tigers.

Why hasn't Melios been closed yet?

The conversation cited the decision of the Supreme Constitutional Court, which dismissed the owner's appeal regarding the non-renewal of the permit to run a zoo.

Pipis explained that implementing the decision requires determining the fate of the animals and the cooperation of several institutions. The owner should officially notify them of their intended relocation. If they fail to do so, the state will take action.

The latest controversy stemmed from the bear's escape from its cage on Saturday, October 10. Menelaou assured that the animal remained within the park's outer fence. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Documents from the Polish side are still missing

Archival reports confirm that as early as 2016, attempts were made to transport white lion cubs from Poland to Melios, and Cypriot services intervened in the transport.

However, they do not explain who transferred the animals, which Polish institution issued the documents or on what basis their arrival was ultimately allowed.

Only this information will allow us to assess the accusations made by Pipis. For now, we have a public accusation, a denial from the owner, and a documented history of a long-standing dispute over the importation of animals to the facility.

Sources: Philenews, Elemesos, Cyprus Mail, ShowTime-cy, CyprNews.