About SKLNSMOTKEY
Bringing joy, education, and wonder through exceptional monkey performances across Germany since 2010.
Our Story
SKLNSMOTKEY was founded in 2010 by Klaus Schneider, a former zoologist with a passion for primates and entertainment. What began as a small educational program in Berlin quickly grew into one of Germany's most beloved animal performance companies.
Our name, SKLNSMOTKEY, is derived from "Skills Monkey" - representing our commitment to showcasing the natural abilities and intelligence of our animal performers while educating audiences about primate conservation.
Over the years, we've performed in more than 50 cities across Germany, bringing joy to thousands of families while maintaining the highest standards of animal care and ethical training practices.
Our Mission & Values
Mission
To create memorable entertainment experiences that showcase the natural behaviors and intelligence of primates while promoting respect for animals and conservation awareness.
Core Values
- Animal Welfare: Our animals' wellbeing always comes first.
- Education: We aim to inspire learning about wildlife and conservation.
- Entertainment: Creating joyful, memorable experiences for all ages.
- Integrity: Transparency in our training methods and business practices.
- Conservation: Contributing to primate conservation efforts worldwide.
Meet Our Team
Klaus Schneider
Founder & Director
A zoologist with over 25 years of experience working with primates, Klaus founded SKLNSMOTKEY with a vision to combine education and entertainment.
Dr. Maria Hoffmann
Lead Animal Trainer
With a PhD in Animal Behavior, Maria ensures all our training methods are ethical, science-based, and prioritize animal welfare.
Thomas Weber
Performance Director
A former theater director, Thomas creates our engaging show narratives that blend entertainment with educational content.
Dr. Lisa König
Veterinarian
Specialized in primate care, Lisa oversees the health and nutrition of all our animal performers, ensuring their wellbeing at all times.
Our Facilities
Located just outside Berlin, our state-of-the-art animal care facility spans over 5 hectares and is designed to provide our monkey performers with an enriching, naturalistic environment that caters to their physical and psychological needs.
Our facilities include:
- Spacious Living Areas: Natural habitats with climbing structures, vegetation, and environmental enrichment
- Veterinary Clinic: On-site medical care with specialized equipment for primate healthcare
- Training Center: Where we use positive reinforcement techniques to work with our animals
- Diet Kitchen: Where we prepare nutritionally balanced meals tailored to each animal's needs
- Quarantine Area: For any new arrivals or animals needing special care
Visitors are welcome to tour our facilities by appointment to learn about our commitment to animal welfare and conservation.
Ethics & Conservation
At SKLNSMOTKEY, ethical treatment of our animals is our highest priority. We adhere to strict standards that exceed the requirements of animal welfare regulations:
- All training is based on positive reinforcement – never punishment or coercion
- Our shows only showcase natural behaviors that the animals would perform in the wild
- We limit performance times to ensure our animals never become tired or stressed
- Regular veterinary check-ups and comprehensive healthcare for all animals
- Retirement plan for animals when they are no longer performing
We're also committed to conservation efforts. A portion of our proceeds supports primate conservation projects in Southeast Asia and South America, helping to protect wild monkey populations and their habitats.
Our Achievements
Best Animal Performance
German Entertainment Awards, 2019
Excellence in Animal Welfare
European Animal Entertainment Association, 2020
Educational Program of the Year
Berlin Tourism Board, 2021
Conservation Contribution Award
Wildlife Conservation Society, 2022
What People Say About Us
"SKLNSMOTKEY sets the gold standard for ethical animal entertainment. Their commitment to both animal welfare and education is exemplary."
Prof. Dr. Heinrich Müller
Animal Behavior Specialist, University of Berlin
"In my 20 years of reporting on animal entertainment, I've never seen a company more dedicated to the wellbeing of their animals than SKLNSMOTKEY."
Claudia Becker
Environmental Journalist, Der Spiegel
"Their shows have transformed how my students understand primate behavior. Educational, entertaining, and most importantly, ethical."
Martin Schmidt
Biology Teacher, Frankfurt Gymnasium
Want to Learn More?
Book a tour of our facilities, inquire about our upcoming shows, or discuss hosting a performance at your venue.