Why Wild Animals Don't Make Good Pets

Exotic creatures like chimpanzees, pythons, kinkajous and scarlet
macaws have captured the hearts of animal-lovers looking for
companions; but keeping exotic animals as pets can come with hidden
costs, according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

(Vocus) February 19, 2009 -- Exotic creatures like chimpanzees,
pythons, kinkajous and scarlet macaws have captured the hearts of
animal-lovers looking for companions; but keeping exotic animals as
pets can come with hidden costs - both for people and animals. Wild
animals have lived for thousands of years without the direct
influence of humans. They are adapted for survival in complex, wild
environments. They are not well adapted to living with humans or in a
house.

What's wrong with having a wild animal as a pet?

You can't provide the right home for them.

Wild animals have complex behavioral, social, nutritional and
psychological needs. Most people cannot meet the needs of wild
animals kept as pets. Wild animals need to be with members of their
own species.

Apes are a special concern.

Apes, including chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, orangutans, and
gibbons, are intelligent, sensitive, and highly social animals. As
our closest living relatives, they are fascinating, and ape infants
are appealing. These attributes make apes popular as performers in
commercial entertainment, advertising programs and, sometimes, pets.
But this popularity and attractiveness masks the often cruel and
dangerous practices commonly required for making apes compliant in
such appearances. When kept as pets, apes can unexpectedly cause
severe injury when natural instincts trigger fear, aggression, or
other powerful responses. (see:
http://www.aza.org/AboutAZA/presentanimalspolicy/ )

Taking them from the wild can endanger the species.

Parrots are the world's most endangered family of birds due to
devastation from the international pet trade. The enormous global
demand for these and other exotic pets is fueling the illegal capture
and trade of millions of birds, mammals and reptiles annually, most
of which die while being captured or transported.

You could get hurt.

Keeping wild animals as pets can be dangerous. Many can bite,
scratch, and attack an owner, children, or guests. Animal owners can
be legally responsible for any damage, injuries or illnesses caused
by animals they maintain. Finding new homes for large, hard-to-handle
animals can be difficult, if not impossible, particularly since most
zoos are unable to accept them.

You could get sick.

Wild animals can carry diseases dangerous or fatal to humans.
Diseases include rabies, distemper, herpes viruses, salmonella,
polio, tuberculosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and bubonic plague.
Wild animals also harbor parasites, such as intestinal worms and
protozoa.

It would probably be illegal.

Many state, county and city ordinances prohibit the ownership of wild
animals as pets.

What types of animals do make good pets?

Dogs, domestic cats, guinea pigs, domestic rats and mice,
domestic gerbils, common hamsters, domestic rabbits, domestic
chinchillas.

Interesting insects like African millipedes or Hissing
cockroaches.

Responsibly captive-bred parakeets, canaries, cockatiels, doves,
and pigeons.

Responsibly captive-bred reptiles and amphibians such as red-
footed tortoises, lizards (bearded dragons, leopard geckos), snakes
(corn snakes, king snakes, ball pythons) and frogs (White's tree
frog, ornate horned frog, fire-bellied toad, red-eyed tree frog).

Tropical fish that are captive-raised or collected from
sustainable wild populations make good pets. Look for certification
of sustainability from the Marine Aquarium Council when you buy
tropical fish for your home aquarium.

Visit a shelter

Millions of dogs and cats are destroyed each year because they
don't have homes. Shelter directories such as PetFinder are excellent
places to find adoptable animals near you.

Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a
nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos
and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and
recreation. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or
aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting an institution
dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience
for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more
than 200 accredited members, the AZA is a leader in global wildlife
conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native
habitats.

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Contact Information

Jackie Marks
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
http://www.aza.org/
301.562.0777 +236