In this post, I want to bring attention to the issue of exotic pets. Across the globe, millions of animals such as tigers, pythons, monkeys and macaws have been mistreated because of the high demand for exotic pets. There have been reports of baby pythons crammed into CD cases, a three-month-old tiger cub that was tranquilized and stuffed into a suitcase, baby turtles taped and squeezed into tube socks, and even dozens of hummingbirds tied up and taped to someone’s underwear just so they could be smuggled into the United States of America. Under these harsh, and often illegal, transport conditions, these exotic-pets-to-be die 80 to 90% of the time according to a German customs officer. Even if they survive the traumatic transport, these animals are sometimes left unattended for weeks, suffering from poor ventilation, malnutrition and confinement. In a seller’s warehouse in Texas, four hundred iguanas and hundreds of other dead animals were found abandoned in crates in 2009.
Unfortunately, the ordeal isn’t over for the exotic animals once they are placed in their new “homes.” Owners often underestimate maintenance and fail to meet the animal’s basic needs in terms of housing and diet. As stated by the Western Cape of Africa’s Environmental Crime Investigation, about 90% of exported reptiles die within a year. Monkeys, birds and large cats that are used to traveling several miles a day suffer when living in a cage or an apartment – some birds may exhibit excessive screaming, feather plucking and self-mutilation. Sugar gliders, being social creatures, may even die of loneliness if given insufficient attention.
Due to the spread of viral YouTube videos that show slow lorises holding umbrellas or large cats living in people’s backyards, the public has accepted exotic pets to be the norm. However, we must inspire others to help spread the message and educate the public, so that the day will soon come when exotic animals can be free to thrive in the wild – where they belong.
Sources:
“Inside The Exotic Animal Trade.” Companion Animals. 2012. PETA. 21 July 2012
< http://www.peta.org/issues/companion-animals/inside-the-exotic-animal-trade.aspx>.
“Exotic Animals as Pets.” Adoption Tips. 2012. ASPCA. 21 July 2012
< http://www.aspca.org/adoption/adoption-tips/exotic-animals.aspx>.
“The Dangers of Keeping Exotic “Pets”.” Facts. 2012. Born Free USA. 21 July 2012
< http://www.bornfreeusa.org/facts.php?p=187&more=1>.
“Exotic Pets.” Issues. 2012. The Humane Society of the United States. 17 July 2012
< http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/exotic_pets/>.
Owens, Marie. “The Dangers of the Exotic Pet Industry.” Stop Animal Abuse. 12 Nov. 2011. 15 July 2012
< http://stopanimalabuse.blogspot.com/2011/11/dangers-of-exoticpet-industry.html>.
Netter, Sarah. “The Allure of Exotic Pets Bring Risks to Owners, Animals.” 31 Oct. 2008. ABC News. 21 July 2012 < http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=6150276&page=1#.UA8t4s242eZ>.
“The Problem of Exotic Pets.” Opinion. Andrew Rosenthal. 13 July 2003. NY Times. 15 July 2012
< http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/13/opinion/the-problem-of-exoticpets.html?src=pm>.
Unfortunately, the ordeal isn’t over for the exotic animals once they are placed in their new “homes.” Owners often underestimate maintenance and fail to meet the animal’s basic needs in terms of housing and diet. As stated by the Western Cape of Africa’s Environmental Crime Investigation, about 90% of exported reptiles die within a year. Monkeys, birds and large cats that are used to traveling several miles a day suffer when living in a cage or an apartment – some birds may exhibit excessive screaming, feather plucking and self-mutilation. Sugar gliders, being social creatures, may even die of loneliness if given insufficient attention.
Due to the spread of viral YouTube videos that show slow lorises holding umbrellas or large cats living in people’s backyards, the public has accepted exotic pets to be the norm. However, we must inspire others to help spread the message and educate the public, so that the day will soon come when exotic animals can be free to thrive in the wild – where they belong.
Sources:
“Inside The Exotic Animal Trade.” Companion Animals. 2012. PETA. 21 July 2012
< http://www.peta.org/issues/companion-animals/inside-the-exotic-animal-trade.aspx>.
“Exotic Animals as Pets.” Adoption Tips. 2012. ASPCA. 21 July 2012
< http://www.aspca.org/adoption/adoption-tips/exotic-animals.aspx>.
“The Dangers of Keeping Exotic “Pets”.” Facts. 2012. Born Free USA. 21 July 2012
< http://www.bornfreeusa.org/facts.php?p=187&more=1>.
“Exotic Pets.” Issues. 2012. The Humane Society of the United States. 17 July 2012
< http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/exotic_pets/>.
Owens, Marie. “The Dangers of the Exotic Pet Industry.” Stop Animal Abuse. 12 Nov. 2011. 15 July 2012
< http://stopanimalabuse.blogspot.com/2011/11/dangers-of-exoticpet-industry.html>.
Netter, Sarah. “The Allure of Exotic Pets Bring Risks to Owners, Animals.” 31 Oct. 2008. ABC News. 21 July 2012 < http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=6150276&page=1#.UA8t4s242eZ>.
“The Problem of Exotic Pets.” Opinion. Andrew Rosenthal. 13 July 2003. NY Times. 15 July 2012
< http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/13/opinion/the-problem-of-exoticpets.html?src=pm>.