“Are you able to hear them?” Predrag Bajović, a stand-up comedian, posed this question to a journalist from the Center for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro (CIN-CG) in February 2024, while onboard a bus traveling from Podgorica to Tirana. Among the throng of young tourists, the engine’s roar was pierced by an unusual “singing” coming from the bathroom—specifically the sounds of birds trapped inside.

Despite his attempts, Pedja couldn’t unlock the bathroom door, which had remained locked throughout the trip. At border checkpoints, no one bothered to investigate the source of the noises. By the time they reached Tirana, the birds were still trapped, chirping away as passengers disembarked.

The Customs Administration (UC) informed CIN-CG that on May 1 of the previous year, at the Božaj border crossing, they thwarted an attempt to smuggle 85 animals—comprising 78 birds of different species and eight rabbits—after inspecting a bus bearing Montenegrin plates. This particular bus was en route between Kotor and Durres.

The company that owned the bus faced a hefty fine of 5,000 euros, while the individual responsible was fined 500 euros. According to the Customs Administration, the animals were not classified as specially protected or wild species, which meant that, under current Montenegrin law, there would be no criminal proceedings initiated.

“After the customs violation was uncovered, the veterinary inspection was alerted and dispatched to the scene. Following the necessary protocol established by customs officers, the confiscated animals were handed over to the veterinary inspection for safekeeping, and they are currently in quarantine pending procedural completion,” the Customs Office communicated to CIN-CG.

However, the absence of a designated state animal shelter in Montenegro raises concerns about the current living situation of these animals.

The Veterinary Inspection did not respond to inquiries from CIN-CG by the time of publication, nor did they reply to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“On May 5, we were notified about the seizure of a number of birds and rabbits at the Božaj border crossing on May 1. We are still unclear on their species, the source from which they were taken, and their current location. We have since officially requested information from the relevant authorities regarding the ongoing procedures and actions taken, but as of now, there has been no response,” the agency informed CIN-CG.

A CIN-CG report indicates that between 2020 and the end of 2023, at least four locations in Montenegro underwent environmental inspections, revealing several undocumented species of animals.

The Center for the Protection and Study of Birds of Montenegro (CZIP), along with the EPA, underscores that the lack of a state shelter is a significant hindrance in combating the illegal regulations surrounding the capture and transport of animals.

Moreover, CZIP has highlighted that ineffective legislation, low detection rates, and lax penalties suggest that Montenegro, despite its environmental commitments, is not treating this type of crime with the seriousness it deserves.

Rising Trend of Pet Smuggling

The Police Directorate (PD) reported to CIN-CG that on January 25, 2024, customs officers discovered 150 parrots and 50 hamsters in a bus at the Dobrakovo border crossing. The animals were confiscated, though no information was provided about their current conditions.

Even though Montenegro does not consider the smuggling of pets or domestic animals as a criminal offense, the latest EUROPOL report concerning organized crime in the European Union, released in March 2025, underscores a significant increase in such smuggling operations.

“The smuggling of wildlife remains a significant issue due to the persistent demand in the European Union and globally. Moreover, smugglers are increasingly trading species that do not appear on the lists of protected animals under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to evade the attention of authorities,” states the EUROPOL report.

The CITES Convention is an international treaty aimed at protecting specific species from illegal commerce, and Montenegro signed it in 2006 to contribute to the preservation of global biodiversity.

Illegal wildlife trafficking has become one of the most lucrative forms of organized crime, with its global worth approximated at $23 billion annually.

African Tortoises Valued at 120,000 Euros, Resulting in a Suspended Sentence

Border Police Sector officers recorded two instances of animal smuggling between early 2022 and late 2023, both occurring near the border with Serbia.

The first event unfolded in January 2022 in Konatari near Bijelo Polje when law enforcement apprehended a Montenegrin national who was attempting to evade customs supervision to smuggle wild animals from Serbia into Montenegro through back roads, intending to hand them over to foreign nationals. The smuggled items included two African spurred tortoises (Centrochelys sulcata) and a red-throated barbet (Psilopogon mystacophanos). The tortoises, listed as protected under CITES, held an estimated black-market value of around 120,000 euros, while the colorfully exotic bird is considered near-threatened.

The tortoises were temporarily housed in the Natural History Museum in Podgorica, while the unfortunate barbet did not survive the ordeal.

“A criminal complaint was lodged against one individual for the illicit extraction and transport of protected natural resources, especially protected animals, as well as for trafficking purposes,” the Police Directorate informed CIN-CG.

Only the suspected Montenegrin perpetrator faced prosecution, and the Basic Court in Bijelo Polje handed down a suspended sentence.

The second smuggling case arose in 2023 when police detected six plastic canisters concealed within the cavity of an international train exiting Montenegro. The containers held dark brown shells from a protected species—finger clams (Lithophaga lithophaga). With rising culinary demand, this species has been subjected to overfishing. Legal protection is viewed as a crucial measure to prevent its extinction in the Adriatic Sea. Extracting finger clams also causes damage to the marine habitat, endangering the entire ecosystem.

However, since the owner of the shells was never identified, no accountability was established.

Wild Animals Targeted by Smugglers

Between November 2022 and November 2023, the Customs Administration recorded two instances of animal smuggling.

The first case was noted at the Customs Office in Bar, where the illegal transport of three wild boars (Sus scrofa) was intercepted. While wild boars can be hunted during designated seasons, transporting so-called “trophies” abroad requires special permits. A 200-euro fine was assessed, of which 134 euros was paid.

The second case transpired at the Debeli Brijeg border crossing, where customs officials found five peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) in the trunk of a vehicle. This bird species is protected in Montenegro and is renowned as the fastest animal, reaching speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour during its dive. Regrettably, one falcon did not survive the journey. A 500-euro fine was imposed, with 334 euros paid.

15 Reports of Illegal Animal Keeping Over Four Years

According to an environmental inspection report, which CIN-CG had access to, numerous infractions involving animal keeping in Montenegro were identified between early 2020 and late 2023. This includes both exotic and protected species found across various locations without proper certificates of provenance.

During summertime, particularly along the coast, incidents have occurred where individuals utilized animals for photography purposes without the needed permits for ownership or commercial activities. One such instance involved inspectors discovering a person exploiting an owl on the promenade in Budva for income during a control operation in July 2023.

The individual claimed: ““I don’t use birds for profit; I utilize them to convey emotion.”

This blurred line between emotion and commerce is the foundation upon which such exploitation of animals is justified. However, in many of these cases, to prevent escape, the animals’ wings are often deliberately damaged. The environmental inspectorate subsequently imposed a 165-euro misdemeanor fine.

Four inspections carried out by the environmental inspection from 2020 to late 2023 confirmed the existence of numerous undeclared animals. In two instances, the investigations concerned private individuals who kept animals for personal purposes, while the other two focused on enterprises managing zoos.

Bird Enthusiast from Budva

One notable case examined by the environmental inspection involved a resident of Budva. In an inspection conducted in 2021, prompted by the Police Directorate, inspectors discovered 44 goats, three dogs, and 688 birds from various species on his property. While most of the birds were classified as domestic species (such as ducks, geese, turkeys, etc.) that do not require special permits for breeding and ownership, several were non-native and of particular value.

Following the environmental inspection’s assessment, which confirmed that the animals were kept in suitable conditions aligned with the Regulation regarding the maintenance of wild animal species and the Nature Protection Act, the owner submitted an official application to the Environmental Protection Agency for permits to keep several species: African royal starling (Lamprotornis), macaw (Ara ararauna), roseate cockatoo (Eolophus roseicapilla), Jacob’s parrot (Psittacus erithacus), Amazon parrot (Amazona auropalliata), mountain myna (Gracula religiosa), scarlet toucanet (Aulacorhynchus), pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), ostrich (Struthio camelus), anteater chat (Myrmecocichia), and Asian bluebird (Irena puella).

To facilitate the issuance of keeping permits for these birds, the Agency requested proof of their lineage. However, such documentation was unattainable for all listed species.

“I acquired the birds here and most from abroad,” the owner contended.

Lacking adequate documentation, a misdemeanor process was initiated under the Law on Nature Protection, and the Misdemeanor Court in Budva subsequently imposed a fine of 250 euros.

Bears in Cages

The second focal point of the environmental inspection in February 2022 concerned a private animal caretaker from Berane. During this inspection, authorities discovered 287 animals from 41 distinct species on the premises.

Among the animals found were a bear (Ursus arctos Linnaeus), a wolf (Canis lupus), a great horned owl (Bubo bubo), a whooping crane (Grus grus), a fallow deer (Dama dama), a llama, and a Patagonian mara (Dolichotis patagonum), among others.

“On the inspection day, the individual being supervised indicated that he lacked a permit from the Agency but had submitted a request for legalized keeping of wild and protected species of animals back in 2019,” states the environmental inspection report.

The owner claimed he had no customs documentation for the import because, when he acquired the animals from Serbia, such a permit was reportedly unnecessary due to the state union between Montenegro and Serbia at the time.

Nevertheless, the inspection report does not comment on the conditions under which the animals were found.

The Misdemeanor Court in Bijelo Polje confirmed that no legal actions were taken against this individual.

Recently, a CIN-CG associate unofficially verified that the bear remains confined in a very small cage.

Zoos Operating Without Permits and Inadequate Cooperation from Authorities

Two zoos are located near Podgorica. The only one registered with the Veterinary, Phytosanitary and Food Safety Administration (Veterinary Administration) since 2023 is operated by Miljan Milickovic.

However, none of Montenegro’s zoos currently possess permits from the EPA.

This raises concerns about the lack of effective coordination between relevant institutions. The Environmental Protection Act stipulates that keeping animals in zoos, aquariums, terrariums, pools, or cages necessitates an EPA permit.

“We recognize that the veterinary and sanitary conditions for housing wild animals in zoos are also outlined in the Animal Welfare Law, and adherence to these conditions is evaluated by the Veterinary Administration, pending authorization from the agency responsible for nature protection,” the Agency states.

A recent visitation by a CIN-CG reporter to the two zoos revealed one charging five euros for entry and the other three euros, in addition to hosting birthday and wedding events.

As Permits Lag, Trade Thrives

Both zoos near Podgorica underwent environmental inspections during 2022 and 2023.

During a 2022 inspection at one zoo, officials noted several animal species, including a royal python (Python regius), a Mexican milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum annulata), both Burmese and reticulated pythons (Python reticulatus), a pink cockatoo, a rosella parrot (Platycercus eximius), a macaw, an albino boa constrictor, and a red kangaroo (Osphranter rufus).

“According to the owner, he did not submit a request regarding the animals reported to the Agency that were not included in the permit, as appropriate conditions were not yet established to align with the criteria for permit issuance,” the environmental inspection report specifies.

Regarding provenance, the owner stated that some were gifts from private citizens while he acquired the rest through purchases, after which they were entrusted to him for care.

A misdemeanor proceeding is currently in motion against him in the Misdemeanor Court in Podgorica.

In another zoo, a 2023 inspection revealed the presence of several species lacking the required permits, including deer (Cervidae), foxes (Vulpes vulpes), owls (Strigiformes), buzzards (Buteo buteo), monkeys (Macaca mulatta), and wallabies (Notamacropus).

However, according to information accessed by CIN-CG from the Minor Offences Court in Podgorica, no legal actions have been initiated against this establishment and its owner.

Fundamental Issue – Absence of a State Shelter

Based on observations from environmental inspections and field visits by CIN-CG journalists, specific species of wild and protected animals are frequently seen across various locales in Montenegro, highlighting the presence of a black market within the country.

Sadly, animals often fall prey to illegal captivity, typically fuelled by profit motives. They endure significant hardships during unlawful transport across borders, confined in cramped cages without committing any “criminal act.”

However, until Montenegro establishes a state animal shelter, there is no fundamental infrastructure to mount a serious effort against illegal keeping, transport, and trafficking of animals.

“The anticipated introduction of the new Law on Nature Protection, expected soon, will lay the groundwork for addressing this issue,” states the Environmental Protection Agency.

The agency mentions that the new law will outline clear directives regarding the establishment of a government-run shelter, having already secured a 10,000 square meter plot and comprehensive project documentation compliant with European standards for its construction.

“With the assistance of the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development and the Ecofund, financial resources have been allocated for constructing the shelter, which is slated to commence around mid-year after all procedural requirements are met,” added the EPA.

It’s important to note that the development of a state animal shelter is required as per Chapter 27 under Montenegro’s accession negotiations with the European Union.

A notable case is that of Nikola the lion, discovered in Budva in early 2022. The circumstances surrounding his border crossing remain unclear; initially, he was housed in the Shelter for Abandoned and Lost Animals in Podgorica, then relocated to the premises of the Regional Waterworks administration building, until he was rescued by experts from the Netherlands. Thanks to individual advocacy, Nikola is now thriving in a vast reserve in Africa.

Unfortunately, this is an isolated instance; the majority of animals do not experience similarly favorable outcomes.

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