Supreme Constitutional Court upholds closure of Melios Zoo Park

Cyprus's Supreme Constitutional Court has rejected the appeal filed by Menelaos Menelaou, the owner of Melios Zoo Park, effectively confirming the closure of the facility located in Agioi Trimithias. The court upheld an earlier Administrative Court ruling that dismissed three consolidated appeals regarding the denial of planning permits and the refusal to renew the zoo's operating license. Authorities identified numerous violations, including unauthorized expansions onto state and private land, significant deviations from approved architectural plans, and the housing of large carnivores without adhering to required safety standards. Furthermore, the zoo lacked an adequate water supply, as the owner's permit was restricted to irrigation purposes only. The court ruled that the owner's grounds for appeal were either unsubstantiated, legally inadmissible, or raised too late in the proceedings, and found no evidence supporting claims regarding land exchange. Consequently, the court ordered Mr. Menelaou to pay 4,000 euros in legal costs to the Republic of Cyprus. The Veterinary Services had initially sought the zoo's closure in 2017 due to non-compliance with animal welfare legislation.