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Wild Animals/Wild Animals as Pets

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Expert: Jonathan Wright - 10/28/2009


Question
Hi, I'm doing a speech on why it is dangerous to have wild animals as pets. Do you know of any studies done showing data about this? I would like to inform hearers about the dangers of keeping a wild animal as a pet.

Answer
Dear Destiny

Thank you for your question. I also wish to thank the authors of the websites I used.

Please note that you will need to take care with your speech. Several people keep wild animals without coming to any harm. In fact, some domestic animals are far more dangerous than wild animals. Various domestic dogs have attacked and killed people, while many children can safely look after tadpoles or stick insects. The main concern should be: do people know how to look after the animals? I have lots of questions from people who want to keep pets because the animals look cute. They don't take into account the costs of veterinary care (if it exists locally), feeding, accommodation etc. There is also the case of how the animal was obtained e.g. were its parents killed to obtain the baby. I have listed a few useful websites below.

General information: You may find the following sites useful: http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/issues_facing_wildlife/should_wild_animals_be_kept_...

Dangers to other pets: http://brambletonbuzz.wordpress.com/2009/07/23/top-ten-wild-animals-that-will-at...

It may be worthwhile choosing particular animals, such as a tiger or bear, and noting the risk of keeping them. I put wild animal pet attacks into Google and there seem to be several websites that may help you.

All the best

Jonathan

Disease: http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/issues_facing_wildlife/zoos/health_dangers_at_petti... lists diseases that animals can spread to people.
Beth Preiss (http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/wildlife_news/monkey_business.html) says that most macaque monkeys carry the deadly Herpes B virus, which can be transmitted to humans through scratches, bites, and body fluids. In humans, the infection can result in encephalomyelitis, from which an estimated 70% of untreated patients die.  

Wild Animals

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Jonathan Wright

Expertise

I can answer questions about wild mammals and other animals, as well as extinct animals and zoos. I am not an expert about every animal species. I can look up information from books and the internet, but can't verify if all the information is true. Please don't ask questions about: 1. Pets. I am not a vet. Please contact a vet if your pet is ill. You may need to spend some money if you want your pet to live. Don't get a pet if you don't know how to look after it and if you can't provide it with the space, food and possible companions that will help it live a healthy life. Don't take animals from the wild, unless they are ill and/or injured and you can protect them until a wildlife charity can help. It is cruel to take animals from their parents, especially if the parents will look for the babies, while putting their other babies at risk. You may be breaking the law by keeping wild animals or you may need a licence to look after some species. Please check with a local wildlife group. 2. Eggs: Please don't remove eggs from nests. The mother birds provide the right temperature for the eggs and won't sit on them if the temperature is warm enough for them to develop naturally. It is illegal to remove eggs of some species and, unless you have an incubator or a broody hen, the egg may not develop. If you are allowed to touch the eggs, you can candle them to see if they are fertile. If theys aren't fertile, they won't hatch. 3. Fights: Please don't ask about fights between different animals. These questions assume that individuals of two species fight each time they meet and that one species will always be victorious over another. This is untrue. There are cases where a live mouse has been fed to a venomous snake, bitten the snake leading to the snake's demise. 4: Diseases: Please ask doctors or other medical experts about diseases that you may catch from animals. I can't advise on how to deal with viruses, bacteria etc.

Experience

I have a zoology degree and have been interested in animals since I was two. I am a zoo volunteer at London Zoo. I have appeared on a BBC Radio Quiz, 'Wildbrain'.

Organizations
WWF. ZSL. Natural History Museum. RSPB. London Bat Group.

Publications
Newsletters of London Zoo volunteers and the London Bat Group

Education/Credentials
BSC degree in Zoology. 'A' level in Zoology. 'O' Level in Biology.

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