Zoo-Genehmigung beantragen

If you want to run a zoo, you need the approval of the responsible nature conservation authority.

If you want to set up and operate a zoo, you need the approval of the lower nature conservation authority responsible for your district or independent city, which is located in the district or city administration. In addition to the establishment and operation of a zoo, extensions and significant changes also require approval. The nature conservation authority issues the permit upon application for certain facilities and certain operators and sets a maximum number of animals for each individual species.

Zoos are permanent facilities in which live animals of wild species are kept for a period of at least seven days a year for the purpose of exhibiting them.

Zoos are permanent facilities in which live animals of wild species are kept for the purpose of display for a period of at least seven days a year.
The following are not considered zoos

• circuses,

• pet shops or

• enclosures for keeping no more than five species of domestic ungulates or facilities in which no more than five individuals of other wild species are kept.

Animal enclosures are fixed installations outside residential and commercial buildings in which animals of specially protected wild species are kept in captivity.

Different documents are required depending on the type of zoo. Information on this can be obtained from the lower nature conservation authority.

• 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

Zoos must be set up and operated in such a way that

• the biological and conservation needs of the species are taken into account when keeping the animals, in particular the location, size and design of the respective enclosures and their internal furnishings are appropriate to the species and animal,
• the care of the animals is based on a written program for veterinary prevention, treatment and nutrition in accordance with good veterinary practice,
• the introduction of harmful organisms and the escape of animals is prevented,
• animal welfare and species protection regulations are observed,
• a register of the zoo's animal population is kept in a form appropriate to the species listed and is always kept up to date,
• the education and awareness of the public with regard to the conservation of biodiversity is promoted, in particular through information about the species on display and their natural habitats,
• the zoo participates in
  • research that contributes to the conservation of species, including the exchange of information on species conservation, or
  • the captive breeding, restocking and reintroduction of species to their habitats, or
  • training in conservation-specific knowledge and skills.

The permit shall be granted if

1. it is ensured that the above obligations are fulfilled,

2. the necessary evidence is available,

3. there are no facts that give rise to concerns about the reliability of the operator or the persons responsible for the management of the zoo, and

4. there are no other public law regulations that prevent the establishment and operation of the zoo.

The fees depend on the administrative effort.

Apply for the zoo permit in writing to the responsible authority. The relevant forms must be completed for this purpose. The responsible office will inform you about the next steps in the procedure.

The processing time depends on the size and equipment of the facility to be approved.

The permit must have been issued prior to the commencement of activities.

The following are not considered zoos

• circuses,
• pet shops or
• enclosures for keeping no more than 5 species of domestic ungulates or facilities in which no more than 20 individuals of other wild species are kept.

Animal enclosures are permanent facilities in which animals of wild species are kept outside residential and commercial buildings for a period of at least seven days a year and which are not zoos. The competent authority must be notified at least one month in advance of the construction, expansion, significant modification and operation of an animal enclosure.

Whether a species is specially or strictly protected can be researched in the Scientific Information System for International Species Conservation (WISIA) of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN). itself.

Information on whether a species is designated as specially protected is provided by the Scientific Information System for International Species Conservation (WISIA) of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation.

An appeal may be lodged against the approval or refusal.

• Zoo permit
• To operate a zoo, a permit must be applied for from the competent authority.
• Zoos are facilities in which animals of wild species are kept for at least seven days a year for the purpose of exhibiting them.
• The application can be submitted informally in writing to the competent authority. The authority will also provide information on the next steps in the procedure.
• Fees apply.
• Responsible: the lower nature conservation authority in the district office or the district-free city.

The construction, significant alteration and operation of zoos and animal enclosures require the approval of the lower nature conservation authority in the district office or the independent city.

The construction, significant alteration and operation of zoos and animal enclosures require the approval of the lower nature conservation authority in the district office or the independent city.

Informal letter of application possible: yes (in exceptional cases)