Illegal animal transport: Zebras and monkeys stopped at the border

The Federal Police stopped a van at the German-Dutch border in which, among other animals, two zebras and six monkeys were being transported.

An illegal animal transport is suspected, as the Federal Police in Bad Bentheim, Lower Saxony, announced. The animals were taken to a rescue centre in the Netherlands.

Federal police officers had stopped and inspected the vehicle in the town of Bunde. In addition to the monkeys and zebras, they also found an antelope, a serval, a buzzard and a swan. The two occupants of the van had reportedly been unable to present complete transport documents or proof of origin. More on crime and illegal wildlife trafficking.

The officers notified the veterinary authority. As the animals had not been loaded and secured properly and in a species-appropriate manner, and documents were missing, entry and onward transport were prohibited. The police recorded the matter on suspicion of a violation of the Animal Welfare Act.

The Dutch police ultimately handed the animals over to the competent authority. Further investigations into those responsible for the transport are to be conducted in the Netherlands. The animals were cared for at a rescue centre. The animal welfare problem is particularly evident here.

"This case illustrates it once again – the legal and illegal trade in sentient beings is flourishing massively. Countless wild animals are transported over thousands of kilometres, only to be sold via online portals, at animal fairs or in pet shops." Peter Höffken, policy advisor at PETA

PETA calls for a ban on keeping “exotic” animals in private households

The animal rights organization criticizes the fact that the purchase of dangerous and demanding animals is still permitted regardless of the urgently required expertise. As a result, hundreds of “exotic” animals escape or are simply abandoned by overwhelmed owners every year. Animal shelters and rescue centers are frequently overcrowded with “exotic” animals that have particularly high demands on their habitat.

The trade in wild animals

Primates are among the most traded mammals on online wildlife sales platforms. In Germany, the trade and keeping of “exotic” animals in private hands is largely unregulated. When the price is right, even strictly protected and extremely sensitive species are sold to laypersons. Since many animals in captivity die as a result of inadequate keeping and care, demand remains permanently at a high level.

The results of a study, presented by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) in 2020, further confirm that the trade in wild animals contributes to the global extinction of species and that urgent action must be taken, particularly for reasons of species and nature conservation. More on animal rights.

Further articles

• Zoos cause more harm to animals than you may realize
• Justice for zoo animals
• Is it time to ban zoos?
• Finland: Zoo wants to send giant pandas back to China due to maintenance costs
• The keeping of elephants in zoos must finally come to an end!
• Killing surplus animals – zoos are failing at species conservation