By Julian Loevenich
The panther chameleon is stuck in a desolate plastic box, clinging to a dry piece of greenery. It costs 85 euros. It sheds its skin. And should therefore not be offered at all.
The Berlin animal rights activist Stefan Klippstein (36) had it bought last autumn via a decoy on the terraristic exchange in the Tegeler Seeterrassen. On the reptile market, according to the organizer the largest in the region, is banned from Klippstein! Because he has been documenting the conditions there for four years.
“The animals are sold off,” says the trained animal keeper, “and animal welfare is repeatedly violated!” The chameleon was completely hypothermic and had to be placed in an incubator immediately after purchase and taken to the vet. The dealer then received a warning.
Animal rights activist Stefan Klippstein (36): “The office controls too laxly” Photo: STEFAN KLIPPSTEIN
Nothing else happens. Because: The conditions that Klippstein has been photographing for years are supposedly legal.
When asked by the BZ, the responsible district office in Reinickendorf reported: “During the inspection by two official veterinarians on site, violations, as Mr. Klippstein claims, were not found.”
The animal rights activist, on the other hand, says: “The office controls too laxly. When the authorities come, the sick and illegal animals will be hidden. There should simply not be any crackdown here.”
Junk market for reptiles? Snakes, spiders, insects on special offer Photo: STEFAN KLIPPSTEIN
Another terrarium fair is planned for October 2nd. “Animal protection and species-appropriate animal husbandry are extremely important to us,” advertise the organizers on their website. When asked by the BZ, they say that all allegations against them by the office have been dropped.
Klippstein sticks to his criticism: “If the event does not violate the animal law, it is still an impertinence for the animals.” His last attempt: He wants to convince the Tegeler Seeterrassen to no longer rent the rooms for the stock exchange.