Zoo-Genehmigung für den Betrieb

Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG)

If you want to run a zoo, you need permission from the nature conservation authority.

If you want to run a zoo, you need the approval of the nature conservation authority. In addition to the establishment and operation of a zoo, extensions and significant changes also require approval. The nature conservation authority issues the permit on application for certain facilities and certain operators and sets a maximum number of animals for each individual species.

According to the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG), zoos are facilities in which animals of wild species are kept for at least seven days a year for the purpose of exhibiting them.

Different documents are required depending on the type of zoo. Information on this can be obtained from the responsible office.

• Construction, extension, operation or substantial modification of a facility for keeping animals of wild species for display purposes
• Permanent establishment for at least 7 days

Not considered a zoo:

• circuses
• pet shops
• Enclosures for keeping no more than five native species of ungulates
• Facilities in which no more than 20 animals of other wild species are kept

Fees: depending on the procedure according to the administrative cost regulations

Apply for the zoo permit informally in writing to the responsible office. The responsible office will inform you about the next steps in the procedure.

depending on the size and equipment of the facility to be approved

Application/approval: before commencing the described activities

Contradiction

Zoo operation is subject to approval

Permission is granted by the lower nature conservation authority (district office / independent city)

The approval requirement extends to

• construction
• expansion
• significant changes

Lower nature conservation authority at the district office, in independent cities at the city administration

none