To pass the time while I'm waiting for the decision of the responsible Austrian authority about the point in time when I'm going to be allowed to open to the public, let's share some news:
- I was invited to the broadcasting of a popular German kids' show called
1,2 oder 3 this February as an expert on toxic animals. I contributed to the script and took a live rattlesnake along, as well as my wife and daughter. All went well, except for the rattlesnake not eating its mouse in the final broadcasting. He should have read the script as told.
- I've also been invited to another German TV show, with filming starting probably in June. One of the VIP participants is a member of a German hiphop group (Fanta4) I'm rather found of, so that's a bonus.
- All the poisonous and venomous animals have now moved to the new venue. Since I have to work homeoffice half of the time, I'm now working inside the exhibition room, alongside my animals. My new "co-workers" don't seem to mind and are very calm and pleasant, yet a bit distracting at times.

- New species, including
Peruphasma schultei and
Heteropoda venatoria, have been added, while I've recently lost my good old
Loxosceles rufescens specimen and a
Scolopendra sp.
I'm thinking about adding a small formicarium displaying
Myrmica rubra and maybe a small tank with
Ampulex compressa.
- My gaboon viper is quite the character; for months, he's refused to eat in his large new exhibit, specifically built for him in accordance with Austrian legislation. The minute he was back in his old enclosure, he's eating like a pig. Aaargh - frustration, mixed with relief that he's eating. Now I have to apply for a special permission by the federal vet so that he can stay in his slighter smaller tank...In the meantime, my large West Mexican green rattlesnake, nicknamed "Tom Riddle", seems to have settled quite well in the large (expensive) former gaboon enclosure. Apparently, one snake's trash is another snake's treasure.
- I'm jokingly asking friends and colleagues to address me as "(zoo) Director" or rather "Herr Direktor" from now on, giving my official status as head of my little zoo. The joke has caught on, up to the amusing surprise of the elderly janitor respectfully greeting me this way.
