Residents Illicitly Maintain 2.5-Meter Crocodile in Backyard Garden Plot - Maintains a 2.5-meter crocodile in a confined garden setting in Thuringia
In Nordhausen, Thuringia, a resident has been keeping a 2.5-meter crocodile within an allotment. This practice, while unusual in Central Europe, is subject to national and EU regulations designed to protect wildlife and promote animal welfare.
The European Union's regulations, especially those mandated under the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) framework, play a significant role. Relevant regulations include Regulation (EC) 338/97 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/966, which impose controls and documentation requirements for animals like crocodiles[1]. As CITES governs the trade of protected species, including crocodiles, such animals are frequently listed under its appendices.
The Animal Protection Act (Tierschutzgesetz) in Germany serves as the primary legislation for animal welfare, including the keeping of exotic species like crocodiles. The Federal Nature Conservation Act (Bundesnaturschutzgesetz) may also apply to species protected under CITES or EU wildlife trade regulations.
Keeping crocodiles usually necessitates special permits or licenses from local or national authorities. These permits are issued to ensure compliance with animal welfare standards and to prevent potential environmental or public safety issues. If the crocodiles are housed in a zoo or similar facility, additional regulations cater to enclosure sizes, animal care, and safety standards for both the animals and visitors.
In such cases, detailed record-keeping is essential. This record-keeping typically encompasses information on animal health, feeding practices, and veterinary treatments. Local authorities in Nordhausen must be consulted to ascertain compliance with any specific regional regulations or ordinances regarding exotic animal keeping.
Maintaining crocodiles in Central Europe, as in Nordhausen, Thuringia, requires stringent adherence to both national and EU regulations. These regulations prioritize animal welfare and seek to safeguard the environment and public interests. By securing requisite permits and adhering to strict animal care and safety standards, individuals can keep exotic species like crocodiles responsibly.
[1] Note: For more information on CITES and its regulations, visit CITES' official website: https://cites.org/.
- Despite the unique lifestyle of maintaining a 2.5-meter crocodile in a home-and-garden setting in Nordhausen, Thuringia, the Commission has not yet adopted a decision on the application of the directive that pertains to this practice due to the regulations imposed by CITES, the European Union's regulations like Regulation (EC) 338/97 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/966, and the Animal Protection Act (Tierschutzgesetz) in Germany.
- For those interested in keeping exotic species like crocodiles responsibly, it is crucial to secure the necessary permits and adhere to stringent animal care and safety standards, as well as comply with detailed record-keeping obligations regarding animal health, feeding practices, and veterinary treatments, in accordance with both national and EU regulations, including the CITES framework.
