When people discuss their companion animals, what species come to mind? Most would answer dogs, cats, and fish, but that’s not the case for everyone. Year upon year, more wild animals are being added to the list of companion animals people choose to keep. Exotic creatures owned include reptiles from pythons to tortoises, birds from parrots to hawks, and even African leopard cats and chimpanzees.
The term ‘exotic pet’ covers any wild species that is owned for human companionship or enjoyment, and usually, these animals are kept outside of their native continent. It can be hard to understand why people would want to keep an undomesticated, usually free-roaming animal, like a cheetah or cockatoo, inside a cage that inhibits its natural instincts and desires. The media is responsible for a lot of the trends that create demand. Virginia McKenna OBE, founder trustee of The Born Free Foundation (bornfree.org.uk) says: “All too often exotic animals are victims of a temporary ‘fashion’ craze, having been seen in a film, TV programme or advertisement, like terrapins, meerkats or owls to name a few.” The release of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle film in 2016, saw a significant increase in popularity of terrapins kept. Once the craze passed, numerous terrapins were dumped in local ponds, which heavily impacted native wildlife. As well as fashion frenzies, there is the age-old association of certain exotics with wealth and status. If an animal is exciting, expensive, or rare, it appeals to people seeking to flaunt money or power.
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