Fourth BEE on 13. September 2009

Once again there was no wish unfulfilled on the fourth BEE when you were looking for beautiful animals and useful accessories. About 220 vendors, 68 of them from abroad, showed their treasures on about 880 metres of tables. We really appreciated that we could fill up the no-shows with vendors from the waiting list who were happy to join the show. Another miscalculation of those responsible for the no-shows.

We set a focus on bearded dragons this time. Nothing special you can say, but we felt these species deserved some special attention because lots of animals are mistreated, so many questions are left open among unexperienced keepers. During the first Herpetal Bearded Dragon Award the audience and an expert jury selected the most beautiful animals on display, the jury shared their knowledge with the audience in a bearded dragon talk, plus we designed an eight-page brochure on Pogona dealing with some important questions around those species and showing some interesting photos taken in the natural habitats. The brochure itself is free of cost, we only ask for shipment cost if you order them.

Of course we had some winners in the contest. The jury had chosen with three criteria:

1. State of body: proportions, size (in relation to the age), head size and shape, snout length, spine column etc.
2. Nutritional status
3. "Natural skills" e.g. colouration, markings, spikes

Winner of the audience award:
Frank Bongaertz, Mönchengladbach, male, 7 months old, hypo colouration, breeder: Markus Zwick

100 euro cash prize, donated by Lanzo Herp Cages, and Audience Award, donated by Keweloh Tierernährung

Winner of the jury prizes:

1. Rene Henke, Bielefeld, male, 3 years, natural colour, breeder: Ramona Künkemeyer
2. Sandra Brückner, Dormagen, female, 10 months, Red Citrus x Citrus Het Hypo, breeder: Where Dragons Dwell
3. Eileen Franke, Bad Salzuflen, male, 6 months, natural colour, breeders: Franke family

Each won an acrylic trophy, donated by Keweloh Tierernährung, and one day of animal keeper training, donated by Reptilium Landau

Once again lots of thanks to all sponsors, especially to the name patron Herpetal, and Lanzo Herp Cages for designing the attractive display cages. Lots of thanks, too, to the jury members Mandy Decker (Siegburg), Karsten Grießhammer (Freiburg), and Dennis Oonincx (Netherlands), plus our speaker of the day, Søe Pedersen from Denmark, who shared valuable knowledge about keeping and breeding the European Pond Turtle Emys orbicularis with the audience. Clicking the links you'll find some more information about the program. You will find our next lecture program for the BEE in April after we have completed it. We plan to offer lectures on land tortoises.

Søe Pedersen (Randers/Denmark): Emys orbicularis – the European Pond Turtle
Mandy Decker, Karsten Grießhammer, Dennis Oonincx: Bearded Dragon Talk

You can download the BEE expo brochure from 13. September 2009 including an English editorial here.

Here's some photos that illustrate why vendors and visitors like to go to the BEE and spend their money in a pleasant atmosphere, making new friends and sharing the experience.:

BEE4-BK-Eingang