Introduction
Lions, tigers, wolves, bears, reptiles, and non-human primates are examples of exotic animals that should not be kept as "pets," but rather in their natural habitats. These animals are wild and potentially dangerous by nature, and as a result, they do not adapt well to a captive environment. It is impossible to know for sure how many exotic animals are kept privately as pets because the majority of states do not maintain accurate records of the exotic animals that enter their state, but the number is assumed to be quite high. Private individuals alone are thought to be the guardians of 5,000 tigers.
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Nat Geo Wild Pets |
SYNOPSIS
Keeping wild animals as pets is not always a good idea. The news is frequently filled with tales of wild animals that have been domesticated attacking and injuring people, sometimes fatally. Wild animals are carriers of zoonotic diseases or conditions that can spread from animals to people, including salmonella, ringworm, and brucellosis. Forcing a wild animal to lead a captive life as a pet is wrong and cruel. Captive habitats can never fully recreate the freedom that wild animals need to be whole beings.
Confining animals in small, controlled spaces prevents them from engaging in natural behaviors and limits their ability to fulfill the basic needs of life. Captive animals are also deprived of autonomy and control over their lives, and this is arguably the greatest injustice of all. The captivity of animals can lead to an overall decline in their mental and physical health.
Habituation is risky for both humans and wild animals due to the unpredictable nature of wild animals. Animals that have been habituated cannot be released back into the wild because they could end up endangering humans or posing a threat to them directly. It is essential for anyone considering taking on the role of wildlife rehabilitator to be properly trained.
Undisputedly, young wild animals are adorable. It makes sense that you might consider keeping a wild animal as a pet to be alluring and exciting. Wild animals can, however, develop dangerous and unpredictable traits as they get older. The news is frequently filled with tales of wild animals that have been domesticated attacking and injuring people, sometimes fatally. When their instincts kick in, even small animals like squirrels can deliver a nasty bite or scratch.
One of the dangers of keeping a wild animal is physical harm. Numerous wild animals are carriers of zoonotic diseases or conditions that can spread from animals to people, including salmonella, ringworm, and brucellosis. Additionally, they frequently carry parasites that can spread to humans.
The following are the article's main points:
- Keeping wild animals is not safe.
- It is forbidden by law.
- It is harmful to animals.
- "Habituation"
- Things to do
- The Exotic Animal Pet Trade
- Threats to public safety
- Risk to human health
Keeping wild animals is not safe.
One of the dangers of keeping a wild animal is physical harm. Numerous wild animals are carriers of zoonotic diseases or conditions that can spread from animals to people, including salmonella, ringworm, and brucellosis. Additionally, they frequently carry parasites that can spread to people or other animals. It's risky to keep a wild animal as a pet, no matter how you look at it.
Throughout millions of years, wild animals have developed into independent, free-living creatures. They exhibit needs, inclinations, and behaviors that are inextricably linked to both their natural habitat and a state of freedom. Forcing a wild animal to lead a captive life as a pet is wrong and cruel. No matter how well thought out a captive habitat is, it will never be able to replicate the freedom that wild animals need to be whole beings. A wild animal that is kept in captivity permanently is doomed to a life of uncertainty and stress as he struggles to balance his natural instincts with strange surroundings. Animes in the wild should remain there.
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| Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash |
It is forbidden by law.
Captive habitats, no matter how well conceived and executed, can never fully recreate the freedom of living in the wild. Animals in captivity, without a chance to live their natural lives, are deprived of the joys and challenges of finding food, mates, and shelter. Furthermore, the introduction of captive-bred animals into the wild can disrupt a species' population and genetic diversity.
Animals in captivity, without a chance to live their natural lives, are deprived of the joys and challenges of finding food, mates, and shelter. Furthermore, the introduction of captive-bred animals into the wild can disrupt a species' population and genetic diversity. As such, the practice of capturing wild animals and keeping them in captivity is rightly prohibited by law. Despite the numerous benefits of keeping animals in captivity, such as conservation, scientific research, and education, there is a fundamental injustice in confining an animal against its will. Confining animals in small, controlled spaces prevents them from engaging in natural behaviors and limits their ability to fulfill the basic needs of life.
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| Photo by Dave Spiess on Unsplash |
Sometimes, kind-hearted people who have illegally kept wild animals for a while bring the animals to PAWS. This happens when someone is merely attempting to assist a wild animal in need and is not knowledgeable about wildlife rehabilitation or the law. No matter how long you have been taking care of the animal, it is best to take him as soon as possible to a professional wildlife rehabilitator. The greater the chance that the animal will be released back into the wild, the sooner it can be examined and treated properly by trained, qualified personnel.
It is harmful to animals. This not only has a damaging effect on their physical and mental well-being but also reduces their chance of survival in the wild, leading to an increased risk of extinction for some species. Captive animals are also deprived of autonomy and control over their lives, and this is arguably the greatest injustice of all. Animals in captivity suffer immensely. Not only do they live in unnatural and often uncomfortable conditions, but they can also experience feelings of frustration and boredom due to a lack of stimulation.
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| Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash |
This can manifest itself in behaviors such as pacing, self-mutilation, and aggression towards other animals, which not only puts them at further risk of injury or death but also reflects an animal’s distress. Furthermore, the captivity of animals can lead to an overall decline in their mental and physical health. For these reasons, we must make sure animals in captivity are provided with adequate space, a stimulating environment, and the ability to engage in natural behaviors that are important for their well-being. In zoos and other places of captivity, animals are exposed to an environment that is vastly different from their natural habitats.
Habituation.
Animals gradually become accustomed to situations they would normally avoid through a process called habituation. If they are not handled and managed properly during rehabilitation, many animals are easily habituated. Habituation is risky for both humans and wild animals due to the unpredictable nature of wild animals. Animals that have been habituated cannot be released back into the wild because they could end up endangering humans or posing a threat to them directly.
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| Photo by melissa mjoen on Unsplash |
Animals in the wild may be unable to survive on their own if they have developed a strong dependence on humans. To prevent habituating the animals in their care, PAWS and other wildlife rehabilitators take great care. Without the necessary training, you risk harming a sick, hurt, or orphaned wild animal.
Things to do
It is essential for anyone considering taking on the role of wildlife rehabilitator to be properly trained. PAWS and other wildlife rehabilitators take great care to prevent habituating the animals in their care, as, without the necessary training, you risk harming a sick, injured, or orphaned wild animal. Wildlife rehabilitation necessitates extensive training, both formal and on-the-job.
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| "Gray-Shanked Douc, Endangered Primate Rescue Center, Cúc Phương National Park" by чãvìnkωhỉtз is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. |
As such, potential wildlife rehabilitators should have completed courses in animal biology, anatomy and physiology, ecology, nutrition, and animal behavior. A rehabilitator should also be well-versed in basic husbandry and animal handling techniques, as well as have a good understanding of local and state regulations for the humane care of wildlife.
The Exotic Animal Pet Trade
Numerous sources annually supply millions of animals to the exotic pet trade. Animals are taken from their natural habitats and shipped to different nations, where they are sold as pets. Others are leftover zoo animals or their offspring. Additionally, backyard breeders provide exotic animals. An exotic pet is absurdly simple to get. More than 1,000 websites offer their products for sale, provide care instructions, and have chat rooms where buyers and sellers can bargain over the price. The Animal Finders' Guide, which features advertisements from dealers, private individuals, breeders, ranchers, and zoos offering large cats, monkeys, and other exotic animals for sale, aids in the facilitation of the exotic pet trade.
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| "Tonga" by nhpanda (always trying to catch up....) is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. |
The sellers of these animals, however, fail to mention the state or local laws that govern the private ownership of exotic animals, as well as the risks, challenges, and physiological and physical requirements of the animals they market. In the lucrative business of selling exotic pets, the suffering of the animals in the hands of unqualified and careless buyers doesn't seem to be a concern.
Threats to public safety
Exotic animals are inherently dangerous to the individuals who possess them, to their neighbors, and to the community at large. Monkey bites, snake asphyxiation, and tiger maulings have all claimed the lives of children and adults. An exotic pet is typically isolated and spends the majority of his or her day in a small enclosure.
Many large cats have escaped from their cages and terrorized communities. Additionally, humans face safety risks from reptiles, such as all varieties of snakes and lizards. 7.3 million households in the United States have pet reptiles. More than 7,000 venomous snake bites are reported annually in the United States.
Risks to human health
Exotic animals can transmit diseases that are communicable to humans. Monkeypox and Ebola have also been known to transmit the Ebola virus, monkeypox, and more. 93,000 salmonella cases caused by exposure to reptiles are reported each year in the United States. Salmonella infection is caused when individuals eat after failing to wash their hands after handling a reptile. The CDC recommends that children and the elderly should avoid all contact with reptiles.
Conclusion
As such, it is important to take extra precautions with children and the elderly when it comes to handling reptiles, as the risks associated with salmonella infection are high. Washing hands thoroughly after any contact with reptiles is the best way to reduce the risk of salmonella infection, but for those most vulnerable to its effects, avoiding contact with reptiles altogether is recommended by the CDC. Exotic pets should not be kept as pets because they can be unpredictable and dangerous.
The animal's natural behavior, instincts, and habitat are not properly replicated when it is kept as a pet. In addition, exotic pets are expensive to purchase, maintain, and care for. Furthermore, exotic pets can carry parasites or diseases that could be transmitted to humans, other animals, or even plants. Moreover, the owners of exotic pets often lack the experience and training necessary to properly handle such animals, which can result in not only danger to themselves but also reduced quality of life for the pet.
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