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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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Berlin Zoo Accused of Selling Animals for Slaughter

Politician says director sold hippo, bear family

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(Newser) – A German politician has filed a criminal complaint against the director of the Berlin Zoo, accusing him of selling animals for slaughter, Der Spiegel reports. The complaint cites examples of a hippopotamus and a family of bears allegedly sold in Belgium. Bernhard Blaszkiewitz vehemently denied the accusations, which he described as a blend of “misunderstandings and nonsense.”

Blaszkiewitz said in both cases the animals in question were sold legitimately to reputable dealers of exotic animals. He said that Claudia Hämmerling, the Berlin state assemblywoman behind the allegations, was smearing him for political gain. The Berlin public prosecutor’s office has said it will look into Hämmerling’s accusations to see whether a full investigation is warranted.

In a file photo Knut, the polar bear cub, plays at the Zoo in Berlin, Germany, Monday, April 9, 2007.
In a file photo Knut, the polar bear cub, plays at the Zoo in Berlin, Germany, Monday, April 9, 2007.   (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
Knut, the polar bear cub, has its first public appearance in the Berlin Zoo, in this March 23, 2007, file photo.
Knut, the polar bear cub, has its first public appearance in the Berlin Zoo, in this March 23, 2007, file photo.   (AP Photo)
Animal keeper Uwe Fritzmann feeds hippopotamus Gregor with bananas, Friday Aug. 17, 2007 in the Berlin zoo.
Animal keeper Uwe Fritzmann feeds hippopotamus Gregor with bananas, Friday Aug. 17, 2007 in the Berlin zoo.   (AP Photo/Fritz Reiss)
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North German zoo asks for compensation from Berlin for siring Knut
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