With the documentary series “Monsters of God,” which premieres today on HBO Max, the global trade in reptiles is coming into the public spotlight. The German Animal Welfare Federation welcomes the attention being given to this issue and points out that Germany is by no means just a bystander: Over 1,500 different reptile species are traded in this country. Germany is also considered one of the world’s most important markets for wild animals and the largest importer of CITES-protected reptile species within the EU. Studies show that the trade in and private ownership of wild animals are associated with significant animal welfare and species conservation issues.
“The trade in reptiles and the dark side of the business, as documented in *Monsters on God*, are not a distant problem. Germany is part of this system,” says Patrick Boncourt, specialist advisor for exotic wildlife at the German Animal Welfare Federation. “Wild animals are traded both legally and illegally, often under conditions that cause enormous animal suffering.”
Cases of smuggled reptiles—including cobras, pythons, giant snakes, chameleons, and even a Mississippi alligator—also appear time and again in the German Animal Welfare Federation’s analyses of the illegal pet trade. The confiscated or abandoned animals often end up in animal shelters or specialized rescue centers, which have been operating at full capacity for years.
The German Animal Welfare Federation is therefore calling for the introduction of a nationwide positive list for companion animals. This list would scientifically determine which animal species are actually suitable for private ownership. In this way, animal suffering, species conservation issues, and health and safety risks could be effectively and preventively reduced. “Wild animals are not pets. They do not belong in the hands of untrained people, but in their natural habitats. The documentary should serve as a wake-up call to finally take the necessary action in Germany as well,” said Boncourt.
Note to editors:
The German Animal Welfare Federation has been operating a reptile house at its Weidefeld Animal Welfare Center since 2016. It houses an average of 170 animals and was established in response to the urgent need to accommodate surrendered and confiscated reptiles—to relieve the burden on animal shelters. At the Weidefeld Animal Welfare Center, the reptiles can live according to their needs in a 400-square-meter facility. The animals live in large terrariums, pond systems with indoor and outdoor areas, and an outdoor enclosure.
