Germany: Attorney General of Celle Rejects PETA Complaint – Judicial Process against Zoo Hannover Ceased

Today, the prosecutor general of Celle/Germany has rejected the complaint of the animal rights organization PETA against the termination of investigation proceedings on account of suspected ill-treatment of elephants at Zoo Hannover. In August 2017, the public prosecutor’s office of Hannover had already ceased a judicial process instigated by PETA against the zoo due to a lack of adequate suspicion. Thereupon, the animal rights organization lodged a complaint at the prosecutor general of Celle, which – after a thorough examination of video recordings, all reports and reviews by the authorities – has approved the judicial decision of prosecution Hannover. The personal observation of the elephants on site also played a major role in the process – observers could not detect neither injuries nor consternation of the elephants. Also, the animals did not show any escape behavior towards their keepers.

“We are delighted about the notice from Celle. Now we can continue concentrating on our main task which is to get people enthusiastic about animals and their protection,” commented Andreas M. Carsdorff, Managing Director of Zoo Hannover. Regardless of the PETA campaign against elephant keeping at animal parks, Zoo Hannover will start construction works on the elephant enclosures this spring, which is part of the zoo’s “masterplan 2025⁺” presented in 2015. The existing enclosures will be expanded. (eap)