The Kosovo Animal Rights Foundation accused the Kosovo Ministry of Economy and Environment on Sunday of „not doing its job“ regarding the illegal keeping of a lion in a cage of a resort in Gnjilane/Gjilan even though a whole year has passed since the lion was discovered. We are working on this case, we will find a solution for the lion, the head of the ministry, Blerim Kuci announced Monday.
Civil society has reason to be concerned, Minister Kuci said, Pristina-based Zeri reported.
Kuci underlined that he will take further steps to address the issue – in coordination with civil society representatives.
„The Ministry of Economy and Environment has formed a working group to find a solution to this problem – which also has members from the civil society sector,“ he added.
He said that the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Gnjilane was informed about the case.
„The letter was sent to the prosecutor’s office on September 1st, 2020, with proposals on steps to be taken on the case, but no official response has arrived so far,“ he added.
Another meeting with the working group will be held this week.
Kuci stressed that the ministry does not have a suitable space where it could keep the lion at the moment, while also underlining that a solution will be found.
The Kosovo Animal Rights Foundation recalled on Sunday that exactly one year has passed since it was discovered that a smuggled lion was illegally kept in a cage in a restaurant/resort in Gnjilane.
They accused the ministry headed by Kuci of a lack of effort in solving this problem. The foundation noted that the ministry failed to ensure the transfer of the lion even though the organization „Four Paws“ offered to provide shelter in one of its rescue centers.
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