AAP
Constance, Baden-Württemberg (ots)
Last week, AAP rescued Barbary macaque Beatrix from a life of loneliness. Unfortunately, her story is just one of many. With the current revision of the Animal Welfare Act, however, a positive list could be developed that defines suitable pets. This would end the suffering of countless exotic creatures like Beatrix and address numerous human and animal health and safety issues.
After the local zoo closed, 20-year-old Barbary macaque Beatrix was left behind and lived in solitude for many years. When her owner died, relatives inherited Beatrix and were shocked. In their grief, they were suddenly asked to take care of such a complex wild animal. They desperately asked for help and finally turned to AAP to take the Barbary macaque in. With experience rescuing and rehabilitating exotic mammals from private homes or entertainment, AAP was able to help Beatrix and her owners. “I am shocked that wild animals like Beatrix are still kept as pets. We have decided to save them as soon as possible,” said AAP Director General David van Gennep.
In the wild, Barbary macaques like Beatrix live in mountainous regions in Morocco or Algeria with up to 100 members of their own species. In reality, however, she had to huddle in a small enclosure without any social contact. Being alone is torture for such a sociable monkey, making them an antisocial, aggressive animal. Despite her age and being very overweight, this made her difficult to deal with because she also wanted to bite professionals. Luckily, she was safely taken to the veterinary clinic. One of the surprised heirs was close to tears: “Thank you for Beatrix having a chance at a better life with her peers.”
The need for a positive list of pets
Beatrix’s story has taken a positive turn. However, she is just one of many exotic animals suffering as pets. In Beatrix’ home country of Baden-Württemberg, the rules for keeping wild animals are particularly relaxed. Even tigers, Barbary macaques and many other wild animals can be kept as pets. All too often this leads to terrible living conditions from which the animals want and can escape. In doing so, they injure themselves as well as bystanders. In addition, exotic animals can carry diseases that threaten public health. How could these problems be solved? David van Gennep’s answer is clear: “A primate is clearly not a suitable pet. The positive list is the most effective, transparent and economical way to regulate the ownership of exotic pets. Such a list could have prevented this tragedy.”
The government is currently revising the Animal Welfare Act. This opens up a unique opportunity to radically improve the lives of exotic pets. The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Cem Özdemir, has already announced his support for a positive list. Scientific findings underline the usefulness of such an instrument. Therefore, AAP and various animal welfare organizations are committed to rapid implementation. Independent experts define suitable pets in a positive list. Criteria such as animal health, public safety, species protection and other aspects serve as a basis for this. The positive list is constantly updated as soon as new information is available. This is how species are added or removed from the list. Instead of reacting to accidents and banning certain animal species, a positive list follows the precautionary principle. It prevents problems before they arise.
About AAP:
Founded in 1972, Animal Advocacy and Protection (AAP) is one of the largest and oldest animal welfare organizations in Europe. AAP takes care of exotic mammals such as monkeys, lions and tigers. In Germany too, thousands of wild animals are traded illegally, kept legally as pets under often poor conditions, or abused in the entertainment industry. AAP takes care of exotic animals when they are in need and campaigns for better animal welfare laws across Europe. This is the only way to prevent animal suffering in the long term. There are currently more than 500 exotic mammals in the two AAP sanctuaries in the Netherlands and Spain. We have taken in more than 200 animals from Germany since 2001 and have received more than 1,200 inquiries.
I will be glad to answer any questions you might have:
Patrick Mueller
Spokesman Germany | AAP
+49 162 3264168 | [email protected]
Original content by: AAP, transmitted by news aktuell
