In view of the large-scale police operation to search for a suspected lioness in Berlin and Brandenburg, the German Animal Welfare Federation has criticized the incomplete legal regulations that allow the trade and keeping of most exotic wild animals in Germany without any problems or restrictions. For example, the private keeping of lions and other dangerous exotic animals is generally permitted in many federal states, such as Brandenburg, and it is unclear how many German households have exotic wild animals. The federation reiterates its call for a positive list for pets, as proposed by Federal Minister of Agriculture Özdemir at the beginning of the year
"Whether the specific case was a dangerous big cat or not does not change the fundamental problem. The 'lioness' and the immense expense of this expensive search operation are already emblematic of an inconsistent and misguided policy in the area of wild animal trade and pet protection," says Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Federation. "In recent years, police, fire departments and wildlife experts have repeatedly been called out to capture and care for escaped poisonous snakes, lion cubs and other wild animals. The government must finally act now and protect both animals and humans accordingly!"
THREAT TO BIODIVERSITY AND HUMAN HEALTH
Germany is one of the largest markets for exotic animals in the world. While it is illegal to capture native wild animals in Germany, animal populations in Asia, Africa and South America can be plundered for the German pet market. Hundreds of thousands of wild-caught reptiles, amphibians, fish and mammals are legally sold here - even without the owners having to prove that they have any specialist knowledge. Sophisticated species, some of which are even threatened with extinction, often suffer for years under inappropriate conditions or are eventually abandoned due to excessive demands. If the animals survive the prevailing climate, they can sometimes even become a problem for native ecosystems. The health risks posed by exotic animals are also underestimated: according to the Robert Koch Institute, up to 90 percent of reptiles kept in terrariums are infected with salmonella and therefore represent a source of infection for humans.
ANIMAL WELFARE MAKES UP FOR LEGAL LOOPHOLES
It is a major challenge for animal shelters to cope with the large influx of exotic animals that are no longer wanted and to accommodate reptiles and exotic mammals in an animal-friendly manner. Throughout Germany, there are very few places for animals such as big cats or monkeys in specialized sanctuaries, all of which are run by animal welfare organizations. In the opinion of the German Animal Welfare Federation, wild animals should not be allowed to be kept in private households. The federation would like to see a positive list, as already exists in many other European countries. In contrast to bans, a positive list would only define the animal species that may be kept without concern - from an animal, nature or species protection perspective as well as for reasons of public safety and health protection.
