Tigers in Kletečná should be turned over to the state, Minister Hladík promises “tough action” against illegal breeders
An illegal menagerie, with many big cats, has been operating for years in Kletečná near Humpolec in the Vysočina Region. The authorities have long lacked an alternative home for the animals, but a breakthrough in the problem came after a meeting of government leaders on Wednesday.
At a site in Kletečná, near the town of Humpolec, big cats have been kept illegally for years and in unsuitable conditions. There are sixteen Siberian tigers there, the species considered the largest of the big cats in the world, as well as two lions and two cougars.
The town of Humpolec has wanted to place the creatures in preliminary alternative care, with the animals taken to specialised rescue centres. However, there are no such centres in Czechia and current capacity is insufficient, so Humpolec has not yet been able to confiscate them.
After Wednesday morning's meeting of the ministers of agriculture and the environment, as well as representatives of the veterinary administration, the environmental inspection, the police and the state prosecutor's office, the problem has apparently been solved, according to Minister of the Environment Petr Hladík (Spolu).
“Today we agreed that these animals should ideally become the property of the state, and the Ministry of the Environment could place these animals not only in a rescue centre, but also in a zoo, with private breeders or even abroad.”
By placing the animals into the ownership of the state, this will avoid the obligation to house them in dedicated rescue centres. The responsibility for the animals’ care and welfare will be transferred to the Ministry of the Environment. Minister Hladík has promised “very tough action” against illegal breeders:
“I would like to point out that these facilities do not comply with Czech legislation. They are illegally breeding, especially big cats, which it has been prohibited to breed, except in zoos, from 2022. Therefore it is necessary to approach these matters more decisively.”
The authorities also intend to prepare a package of legislative changes that would make it easier to resolve similar situations in the future. Minister Hladík would prefer that the confiscated animals be surrendered to the state in as many cases as possible, as the ministry has more options for where to place them.
Feline species are bred in large numbers in Czechia outside of zoos. According to the CITES register of endangered animals, there are 87 tigers, 120 lions, 30 leopards and 100 pumas in private hands. In total, there are 341 big cats in the country, with only 173 bred in zoos. However, the vast majority of breeders keep their animals completely legally; veterinarians register only five farms that lack the necessary permits, according to Seznam Zprávy.
