Specially Protected Vertebrates; Reporting on Population Size, Changes in Population Size, or Relocation of the Site

If you keep a specially protected vertebrate or a vertebrate of the species listed in § 3(1), sentence 1, of the BArtSchV, you must report the animal’s status and any changes in its status immediately after you begin keeping it. You must also report any change in the animal’s regular location.

If you own a “specially protected” vertebrate or a vertebrate of the species listed in § 3(1), sentence 1 of the BArtSchV and wish to keep it, you must immediately report this to the lower nature conservation authority. Likewise, the disposal of the animal—whether due to sale, death, or loss—must be reported. The reporting requirement applies to both the purchaser and the seller. 

Species under special protection include, for example, monkeys, parrots, tortoises, and giant snakes, as well as various lizard species such as day geckos and chameleons. In addition, all European bird species are included. 

You can determine whether a species is specially protected by using the WISIA database of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (see “Further Links”).

The reporting requirement applies to vertebrates of specially protected species that are not listed in Annex V of the Federal Species Protection Ordinance.

Owners must

• possess the necessary reliability and sufficient knowledge regarding the keeping and care of the animals, and
• have the necessary facilities to ensure that the animals cannot escape and that their care complies with animal welfare regulations.

For each individual specimen kept, the keeper must provide the competent authority with the following information immediately upon beginning to keep the specimen:

• Date of the change in the animal population (addition due to acquisition or breeding; removal due to transfer, death, or escape),
• number,
• species,
• age,
• sex,
• Origin,
• First and last name and address of the previous owner or new keeper in the event of transfer,
• Location of keeping,
• Intended use, and
• identification (e.g., ring or transponder number).

When reporting the commencement of keeping the animals, documents proving legal ownership of the specimens must be submitted (EU marketing certificate or proof of origin).

Any change in the regular place of residence of the animals subject to reporting requirements must be reported immediately.

It is strongly recommended that the transfer or handover of an animal be documented by specifying the animal’s identification number and the first and last names or addresses (and, if possible, phone numbers) of the previous and current owners, with signatures from both parties, in order to avoid future disputes. This document must be submitted as proof of legal ownership when registering or deregistering an animal with the relevant authority.

Immediately (i.e., without undue delay):

• 2 weeks after acquisition, transfer, death, or escape
• 4 weeks for one’s own offspring

• Documents proving legal ownership of the specimens (e.g., EU Certificate of Sale, proof of origin, other documents)