By Lauren Malmberg, Peoria County Animal Protection Services
The recent discovery of an American Alligator living in a home in the City of Peoria alerts us all to the dangers of having wild and exotic animals as pets. Although most pet owners keep domestic animals in their homes, some people must have an unusual or noteworthy animal as a pet — which often means wild, exotic and, in many cases, dangerous.
Surprisingly, exotic animals like sugar gliders, bearded dragons, flying squirrels, veiled chameleons, spotted pythons, lions, and even poisonous frogs can be purchased with very little money. None of these make good pets and, in fact, often suffer in households who can’t properly provide for them. Most people are ill-prepared and inexperienced when it comes to the care of exotic and wild animals, and the pets don’t fare well because their behavioral and nutritional needs cannot be met. They also present a danger for the owners and community and, in some places, are actually illegal to own.
Before you consider an exotic animal as a pet, please consider these factors:
- Wild animals require special care that most people cannot or will not provide. Wild animals have special dietary and environmental requirements that can be inconvenient. The more unusual animals simply cannot receive the necessary diet and exercise to live a healthy and humane life. Consider the tiger: when living in the wild, tigers roam miles of territory. Can a tiger living in a cage or in a backyard possibly get the kind of physical and behavioral activity he should have? And, wild animals live long lives — the American Alligator can live to be 70–80 years old — who can commit to a pet for that long?
- Wild animals cannot be domesticated. Domestication requires thousands of years of selective breeding. Animals born in captivity or even hand raised remain wild in nature — with all of the environmental and behavioral needs as one born and living in the wild. And, they remain unpredictable. Wild animals can never be expected to behave as a domesticated dog or cat; they will ultimately resort to their natural instincts which can be difficult or impossible to manage.
- Wild animals are dangerous. The cute little baby can grow into a feces-slinging, biting, and fighting monkey that will be stronger — pound for pound — than any human. People get injured and killed each year by wild animals in captivity. Even if the wild pet can be handled by its owner, consider what may happen if an emergency occurs and rescue personnel must enter the home or the animal escapes.
- Wild animals present health risks. Many exotic animals are carriers of zoonotic diseases, such as Herpes B, Monkey Pox, rabies, and Salmonellosis, all of which are communicable to humans. According to Live Science, 90 percent of all reptiles carry and shed salmonella in their feces. Born Free USA notes that 80 percent to 90 percent of all macaque monkeys are infected with Herpes B-virus (or Simian B), a virus that is harmless to monkeys but often fatal in humans.
- Wild animals suffer in captivity. Deprived of their natural diet, environment, and activity, most exotic pets fail to thrive. While often owned by people who profess to love their species, these animals are sentenced to a life of cruel imprisonment and deprivation. Rather than roaming free, exotic pets live in artificial situations — some never see sunshine or venture outdoors.
- Wild animals’ suffering begins with their capture. When these animals get captured for sale, they often experience stress, injury and trauma and can become sick or even die during transit.
- Claims that these animals provide an educational value are simply not true. Neither children nor adults learn about wild animals by keeping them as pets. To truly learn about these animals and appreciate their value to our world, we must observe them in their natural habitat.
Finally, after living lives deprived of their natural behaviors, these pets become a nuisance, inconvenient, or too dangerous to keep. Irresponsible owners may just turn their pet free, even though the local natural environment isn’t suitable. Other owners may try to find a zoo, institution, sanctuary, or shelter that will accept them. Whatever the outcome, the animal continues to suffer.
Wild animals have a place and purpose in our world. They are not meant to be pets nor should they be part of traveling exhibits or be forced to perform in circuses or other events. Although we may love them, keeping them as pets only serves to harm them. Wild animals should remain in their natural environment – for their best interest and ours.
If you see an animal who looks abandoned, neglected, or in distress, please call local animal control or law enforcement. Your call can mean the difference between responsible, humane care for the animal or a lifetime of suffering. Peoria County Animal Protection Services can help if you lose your pet or see an animal injured or in need. Call PCAPS at 309-672-2440 for information or to report animal cruelty or abuse.
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