Rexano What wild land is there left for the animals? Brittany Shute

What wild land is there left for the animals?

By Brittany Shute , Spring 2007

When one thinks about humans owning exotic pets, such as bears, lion, tigers, leopards, lynx, wolves, raccoons, etc., the inevitable questions come to mind. The brain forms these sentences with an imaginary pencil:

“Why would anyone want to own a wild animal?”
“Aren’t they dangerous, bloodthirsty villains?”
“They deserve to be free!”
“They can’t adapt to the average household!”

Are all those with exotic animals on their hands vile villains who only use their unusual pets for profit only to be sold later at auctions, keeping their pets in cramped miniscule cages while feeding them stale bread and food designed for domestic canines? Should only zoos and sanctuaries contain wild animals behind bars?

The question desired to ask is; what wild land is there left for the animals?

Humans are the most wide spread dwellers on Earth after insects and bacterial organisms. There are between six and seven billion Homo Sapiens squeezed side by side on this little ocean blue and grass green sphere. And yet, more are born every second, way too many! Within less than ten years, at this rate, there will be ten billion of us here. That is more than the Earth can contain! So more and more natural recourses, such as trees and fresh water are seized and stripped away from the animals whom claimed them as home in the first place. The Earth will not supply us till the end of time! Problems man has caused, particularly global warming and air pollution, will probably mutilate us with generations, maybe less than a century. But animals, not being as adaptable as humans, are suffering the most. So what do some people do? They invite some of these creatures into their lives and attempt to let them live in harmony with humans. They are given protection that could never be acquired in the wild.

Many, perhaps most, humans are against the private hobby of owning such companion exotic animals. The ban of them in states and provinces is influenced by animal-rights groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), United Stated Humane Society (HSUS), Farm Sanctuary, Green Peace, Animal Protection Institution (API), and Animal Liberation Front (ALF). While it must be made clear that not everyone should own something that requires as much responsibility, for example, as bears and lions do, these groups claim that all owners are unqualified.

They feel all owners are untrustworthy simply because others have not seen the responsibility responsibly. PETA as well as others claim that millions of animals are seized from their mothers in the wild jungles, then bottle fed to depend on fore their so-called “breeder” and then be sold at auctions. However, this is an occurrence that almost never happens anymore with wild animals. In fact, for generations they have been bred out of the wild, so much in fact that some animals, like raccoons, foxes and skunks can come in colors never imaginable in the wild such as brown, albino, blond, cappuccino, honey, blue, marble, gold, and lavender. And the good breeders who care about in which hands their beloveds end up selling them to owners whom know what they are getting into, and simply don’t want them for only the uniqueness of the animal. Most animals born in the wild live less than three years! An exotic in captivity can live about twenty years, depending on the kind, if well taken care of. Responsible owners do care strongly about what happens to their animals in their lifetime, and provide as anyone would for domestic Fido or Fluffy.

“But these are dangerous animals!” one might use to protest. Well, put it this way; all animals can hurt a person, whether lethally or not. Some exotics, like servals (small cats) and foxes have never been known to kill a person, while others like, bears, big cats, and crocodilians can. It can never be forgotten that these are always wild animals, no matter how loving and tame, and the decision to bring one into ones life should never be a decision made lightly. However, once upon a time dogs were wolves, and cats had the disposition of their African wild relatives. It is often said that it takes thousands of years to domesticate animal, but hamster have only been in the pet trade since the 1930’s, yet are currently considered domestic. Cheetahs and elephants have been tamed by man for thousands of years but are still considered exotic. Are exotic or wild animals exceptionally dangerous?

In the past ten years, on average 3 people a year have been killed by all captive exotics (big cats, reptiles, elephants, bears...). It generally does happen to an owner unless something unbelievably stupid happens, like parents allowing their kids to go into a cage with a big cat or bear. Compare these factors with what is done with domestic animal. Now, the common “domestic” dog kills at least twenty people a year. And it is worth mentioning that they send millions of us humans to the hospital every year due to serious wounds! Horses kill over hundred a year, either by trampling or bucking off their riders. And still, it is humans who cause the most trouble. The most often, we start wars based by the belief of religion or culture. It is truly we who and our tame animals that are the hunter, not the hunted.

In conclusion, I hope that the facts about exotic pets have made an impact in opinions. Any beast can be dangerous to mankind, but it is true that most often it is horses, dogs, and humans who cause more damage, than lions and tigers and bears (oh my!).

We humans are fighting a war against nature, and refuse to believe that we are all a part of Mother Earth. Non-domestic creatures have a chance to survive thanks to a patient, knowledgeable, experienced, and loving owner. Perhaps, if we encourage contact between man and exotic animals, there may be more motivation to protect our threatened planet. Humans will realize that they can live side by side with God’s creations.

Brittany Shute has 1 dog, 1 cat (domestic) and 1 corn snake, though she works constantly with tigers, lions, leopards, jaguars, foxes, raccoons, snakes, alligators, exotic fish, raptors, wolves, cougars, and others. She find joy animals, bikes, books (especially Harry Potter), The Beatles, swimming, painting, and tae-kwon do (at the current timing, Brittany's a green belt.) She have a distaste for animals right groups, people without a sense of humor, mathematics, and waking up early. The places Brittany want to see someday would include Sydney Australia, Kenya, India, and Israel. If she could meet three people, dead or alive, she would choose: Steve Irwin, John Lennon, and JK Rowling. She can be reached at btshute@rogers.com