Reptiles, including all types of snakes and lizards, pose safety risks to humans as well. Subsequently, wild animals developed the instincts and physical features that are suited for the tough and aggressive life in the wild. Interestingly, the list of exotic animals which are sold as pets today includes some species which you must have never imagined in your home. He argued that exotic animals don't tend to make good pets, and that it might be immoral to keep them as such. There have been incidents of mahouts being trampled by their elephants or trained zoo keepers being attacked by the animals in zoos. You’ve probably heard plenty of stories about wild animals kept as pets who escaped from their homes or attacked their owners and their loved ones. Several of these incidents have resulted in either serious injury to the persons who came in contact with the animal, or the death of the animal, or both. When most people think about exotic pets they think about animals like snakes, lizards, weasels, tropical birds and wild animals. However, all the zoos and accredited institutions could not possibly accommodate the number of unwanted exotic animals. Many incidents have been reported of escapes, strangulations, and bites from pet reptiles across the country. People waste their time making it illegal to own exotic pets because people fear that which is … Despite all these preparations, one can hardly be sure if the arrangements are adequate for the animal. Our desire to own unusual animals as pets often leads us to bring wild animals home. Can one absolutely ensure that the wild animal will have proper social interactions and development in captivity? We've created informative articles that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! Fear. Many people believe that exotic animals have not adapted to being kept as pets in the same way that domesticated species have. It should be noted that “generic” tigers (subspecies that have been interbred) are not considered endangered and, as such, can be legally bred and possessed. Either poached from the wild or bred in captivity on a farm, exotic pets are often … Certain wild animals, like the hedgehog, can be useful in controlling insects and pests in the house. Find out how your state, city and county regulates private possession of exotic animals. Consequently, the majority of these animals are euthanized, abandoned, or doomed to live in deplorable conditions. Their presence can be enough to help with their conservation. They try to make a pet out of something that will never be a pet.” With adulthood comes the wild instincts, and the animal that would generally react playfully to you when it was a baby, may just react aggressively. In addition, salmonella infection can result in sepsis and meningitis (particularly in children) as well as invade the intestinal mucosa and enter the bloodstream causing septicemia and death. Even after they are adopted as pets, very often they fall sick or die as their owners are not well equipped to take care of them. Others are surplus animals from zoos or their offspring. For others, allowing exotic pets means endangering wildlife. Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) it is illegal to possess, sell, or buy an endangered species regardless to whether it’s over the Internet or not. Salmonellosis associated with exotic pets has been described as one of the most important public health diseases affecting more people and animals than any other single disease. Today, zoos don't just cater to the recreational needs of visitors, but also indulge into research and conservation of wild animals. Support legislation at all levels to prohibit private possession of exotic animals. Here are the Pros and Cons, This is Why Monkeys Don't Really Make Good Pets, Facts About Nocturnal Animals That'll Keep You Awake at Night. Wounds may become infected, with the potential to reach the bone and cause permanent deformity. The flora and fauna is unique in different parts of the world. An estimated 5,000 tigers alone are held by private individuals. Some exotic animals are sold in pet stores: Bearded dragons, Green iguanas, and Macaws, just to … However, these laws primarily regulate the importation of exotic animals into the United States and not private possession. Every baby animal, whether wild or domestic, is adorable. Laws vary from state to state on the type of regulation imposed and the specific animals regulated. When wild or exotic animals are kept as pets, the result is usually tragic for the animal and often negative for the owner. There has been a recent trend towards keeping non-traditional companion animals, also known as exotic pets. Such abuse and cruelty has led to a decline in the population of a number of wild animals. Snakes, parrots, iguanas, tortoises, and even otters – these are just some of the species suffering as pets around the world. According to the CDC, 52 people reported being bitten by macaque monkeys between 1990 to 1997. Reported cases of infection in humans are very rare; since the identification of the virus in 1932, there have only been 31 documented human infections by B virus, 21 of which were fatal. However, the way animals are being forced to live…, Funny and full of joy, monkeys seem to make great pets. However, there are some unique features within the animal kingdom, like the…. Large carnivores like lions, tigers, and bears are illegal to own, as are apes, baboons, … Persuasive Speech On Keeping Exotic Animals As House Pets. The following is a brief historical review of how some exotic animals … However, these sweet little animals grow up and depending upon the species (for example a bear, a big cat, or a chimpanzee) some of them become too big and strong for the owner to handle. Educate others. Any way you look at it, keeping a wild animal as a pet is a dangerous proposition. Some advocates for the keeping of exotic pets argued that the breeding of exotic pets in captivity is ideal and hence ought to be allowed because it helps to ensure future wild populations. Why People Should Not Be Allowed to Keep Exotic Animals as Pets Wild nature is home for hundreds of thousands of species, many of which are exotic and/or close to extinction. At any given time, about 2% of infected macaque monkeys are shedding the virus. In such a case, certain wild animals (like geckos or hedgehogs) which are small in size, can be kept as pets. Arkansas. Captive tiger. An alligator is a huge commitment — and it might outlive you. The Public Health Services Act prohibits the importation of non-human primates and their offspring into the United States after October 1975 for any use other than scientific, educational, or exhibition purposes. Buying small wild animals may sometimes cost lesser than purchasing a popular pet of a good breed from a pet store. Many breeds of certain animal species - dogs and cats, for example - have a long history of being human companions, and keeping these as pets is … This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The CDC recommends that children, people with compromised immune systems, and the elderly should avoid all contact with reptiles and not possess them as pets. Bites from non-human primates can cause severe lacerations. Keeping wild animals as pets not only risks your life but the people around you too. If and when the individual realizes he/she can no longer care for an exotic pet, he/she usually turns to zoos and other institutions such as sanctuaries to relieve him/her of the responsibility. You have nothing to lose (except for maybe your ego), and everything to gain. Veterinarian Jane Mahlow, Director of the Texas Department of Health Zoonosis Control Division, “People buy these [large cats] when they’re kittens and don’t have the foresight to see in four years that kitten is going to be 500 pounds, and instead of two bottles it is going to need 30 to 50 pounds of meat a day. However, we must not forget the fact that handling one requires a good understanding of the animal’s nature and habitat. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. It is a journey of perpetual improvement. Reptiles that carry salmonella do not show any symptoms, thus there is no simple way to tell which reptiles play host to the microbe and which do not, because even those that have it do not constantly shed the bacterium. The Lacey Act allows the U.S. government to prosecute persons in possession of an animal illegally obtained in a foreign country or another state. Such adoption helped a certain species of Dart Frog survive, when its habitat was destroyed by a natural disaster. Prohibited and Restricted Exotic Animals Because of the danger inherent in animal ownership, some states prohibit the possession of wild or exotic animals altogether, while most simply restrict possession to certain species. Salmonella bacteria do not make the animal sick, but in people can cause serious cases of severe diarrhea (with or without blood), headache, malaise, nausea, fever, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and even death — especially in young children, the elderly, and those with immune-compromised systems. When in the hands of private individuals, the animals suffer due to poor care. By Dcoetzee [CC0], from Wikimedia Commons.Non-domesticated felines, such as lions, tigers, leopards, and cougars, are commonly held as pets. Animals are captured from their native habitats and transported to various countries to be sold as pets. If your state, city, or county does not prohibit private possession, contact your state senator and representative or your city and county council members and urge them to introduce legislation banning possession of exotic animals. In March 1999, the CDC contacted every state health department to determine whether state regulations existed for sale of reptiles and distribution of information about contracting salmonella from reptiles. Monkeys rarely show any signs or symptoms of shedding, making it nearly impossible to know when one is at risk. Many large cats have escaped from their cages and terrorized communities. Each animal evolved according to the environmental conditions that it experienced over time. For example, on August 28, 1999, in Centralia, IL, a 3-year-old boy was strangled to death by the family’s pet python. Once having outgrown its cute/novelty phase, owners abandon them because they cannot take care of them/meet the animals’ needs. Dr. Michael Cranfield, veterinarian at the Baltimore Zoo and an expert on primates, WATCH THE WEBINAR – The State of Wildlife: 2021, Born Free USA Applauds Reintroduction of Bill to Limit Private Ownership of and Public Contact with Big Cats, For the animals’ sake and for your health and safety, please do not buy exotic animals as “pets.”. It isn’t that every wild animal that is caught to be sold as pets makes it to the warmth and care of a human family. Ensuring proper pet care for a wild animal requires a lot of research, preparation, investment in building ideal housing, and proper medical facility. Even an animal that can be friendly and loving can be very dangerous.” Monkeys are the most common non-human primates held by private individuals. Would you like to write for us? This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We hope you enjoy this website. This process took hundreds or thousands of years to develop specific features that helped them to adapt to what nature o… Lion and tiger cubs are often sold as pets, only to be discarded by their owners when they grow too large and ferocious to care for.Every year, a variety of sources provides millions of animals to the exotic pet trade. This gives rise to the debate over keeping exotic wild animals as pets. Keeping Exotic Animals Can Be Extremely Dangerous. Every organism has evolved according to the environmental conditions that it was subjected to. Children and adults have been mauled by tigers, bitten by monkeys, and asphyxiated by snakes. The American Veterinary Medical Association, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have all expressed opposition to the possession of certain exotic animals by individuals. Males tend to become aggressive, and both males and females bite to defend themselves and to establish dominance. When they are transported from the jungles to the market, they are often subjected to brutal conditions like cramped cages and insufficient food and water. Also, exotic species need specialized diets that are expensive and difficult to find. (Image: © Ross Toro, LiveScience.com) The escape of 50 exotic … Again, this Act does not regulate private possession, it merely allows the USFWS to prosecute individuals who have illegally obtained exotic animals. The United States Department of Agriculture, “Pet reptiles should be kept out of households where children aged less than 5 years or immunocompromised persons live. Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word. State Laws: The state governments possess the authority to regulate exotic animals privately held. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 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