Demand from some EU countries: no more tigers as pets

Cats and dogs are the most popular pets, but some owners prefer more exotic breeds. Probably not necessarily tigers, but certain species of birds or reptiles. Four EU countries are now demanding that this be banned.

According to several EU countries, some wild animals such as iguanas, certain birds or fish should no longer be allowed to be kept as pets. The background are concerns about animal, species and health protection, as shown in a paper by Cyprus, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Malta. The countries presented the initiative at a meeting of EU agriculture ministers.

stress, depression and behavioral problems

“It is well documented that the trade in exotic species poses one of the greatest threats to biodiversity,” the four countries wrote in their letter. Many captive wild animals have previously been in the wild. The animals’ afflictions included stress, boredom, depression and serious behavioral problems such as self-mutilation.

While cats or dogs can live long and happily in the company of humans, this is not the case with certain species of birds or reptiles. Wild animals have complex social and nutritional needs that make it difficult for ordinary keepers to “provide them with the care they need.”

Germany wants to support the advance

Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) announced that Germany would support the initiative. It is “obvious that keeping wild animals at home poses a health risk to the animals themselves, but also to people,” he said in Brussels.

Specifically, it is proposed to introduce a so-called positive list. Any animal that is not on this list would then no longer be allowed to be kept privately in the EU. However, the proposal does not state which animals should be on this list.

In addition, the four EU countries refer to a study by the UN Environment Program, according to which numerous animals died during capture or transport. In the case of the gray parrots, which are popular in animal husbandry, two-thirds would die in captivity.