Alligator alarm in Vechta: Search for the mysterious reptile!

Alligator alarm in Vechta: Search for the mysterious reptile!

In the Lower Saxony city of Vechta, an unexpected find causes excitement: a suspected alligator was spotted in a pond, which the local authorities put on alert. According to the city administration, it could be an approximately 80 to 100 centimeter long young animal, which may have been illegally suspended. The location of the event is a rain retention basin on Schweriner Straße, where the reptile was discovered. An attentive young man filmed the animal, which ultimately led to the police locked the pond and searched for the reptile.

On Saturday, the site, which includes around 2.5 hectares, was searched twice with a drone, but the animal remained unable to find it. In order to capture the alligator, the city administration relies on a living trap that is to be equipped with a dead rat as a bait. If this does not fruit, even the rainwater could be drained from the pool in order to be able to catch the reptile easier. According to a city spokesman, however, there is currently no danger for people or pets, since the alligator is considered very shy.

illegal exotic - a growing problem

The situation in Vechta raises questions about the attitude of exotic animals in Germany. In many cities, such as Berlin and Brandenburg, different regulations apply to the keeping of such animals. While in Berlin a certificate of expertise and a certificate of good conduct are required for possession of exotic animals, it looks much more relaxed in Brandenburg. There are only general animal welfare and reporting regulations here, which are often not sufficient to guarantee the well-being of these animals. Many exotic animals find their way into animal shelters when the owners are overwhelmed, reports Roger Ruschpler from the Berlin animal shelter.

The question of the illegal attitude of alligators is not new. A 3.4 meter long alligator from an illegal attitude in Hamburg, New York, was recently confiscated in the USA. This monstrous reptile owner had lived the alligator in a specially built cultivation, where he also installed a swimming pool in order to have the visitors interacted with the animal. Despite an expired license, the animal was initially accommodated by a licensed zookeeper until a long -term solution is found.

In Germany, it is legally necessary to own Cites papers for exotic animals that fall under the international species protection program. Missing papers can lead to strict punishments that can reach up to 50,000 euros in fine or even imprisonment. These regulations should help to contain illegal animal husbandry and at the same time to protect the well -being of the animals.

The exciting incidents in Vechta are not only a local problem, but also reflect a larger dilemma that affects many cities in Germany. The authorities are required not only to capture the alligator, but also to ensure that such animals are not kept illegal.

For further information on the legal framework in Germany, read the reports of ndr , rbb24