The Austin Zoo has a special book about
the exotic pet trade. In Animal Underworld by Alan Green, you'll
find stories about some of the animals at the Austin zoo.
What are the most common wild animals people try to take in to their homes?
- Iguanas
- Parrots
- Wild Cats
What problems do they encounter?
Iguanas -- People are surprised at the cost of equipment and maintenance involved with keeping an iguana in their homes. Most people are unaware of how large these reptiles grow to be or how long they live. (They can live to be 14 years old.) They are not prepared for the amount of care these exotic creatures require. Also, the males can become very aggressive. The zoo gets about a call a day from people who would like to discontinue living with these reptiles they've purchased.
Bearded Dragons are a great alternative to Iguanas. They are easier to care for properly. Their equipment and food is much less expensive. And best of all they do not grow to be big and aggressive.
Parrots -- Although many bird owners in the U.S. own these beautiful
birds, new owners are usually not prepared for the noise or the mess. Parrots,
Macaws and Cockatoos can be very loud. These large birds throw their seed
around. They also tear up people's furniture and wood trim. If left
in a bird cage and not handled, they can become very aggressive. Parrots
also have a tendency to bond with one person, when a new person comes into that
person's life, the bird may feel threatened and as a result act aggressively
towards the new person. These exotic "pets" also live many years.
Parakeets are much easier to work with than parrots. Their vocabulary is larger. They are smaller, quieter and much less destructive.
Wild Cats -- A variety of wild cats have been turned over to
the zoo for a number of
Tigers are the most purchased cat followed by Cougars, Bobcats and Lions. The Austin zoo is contacted 6 to 10 times each year by an unhappy wild cat keeper.
Many varieties of house cats are large and beautiful. A Maine Coon cat is a very large, durable house cat. This breed of cat has a reputation of being good with children.
Although some breeds of cats have distinguishing colors, many different kinds of cats can have a tabby coloring. In fact, different tabbies are actually similar to the wild cats in their coloring. The classic tabby has dark markings in the form of swirls, sometimes making a bulls eye on the cat's sides. Mackerel tabbies resemble little tigers. There is also a spotted tabby, which resemble a tiny Ocelot. A Lynx Point cat will have tabby markings on the face, ears, legs and tail. If your favorite is the black panther, there are a large variety of black cats from which to choose.
Many of these cats are homeless and truly need the care and love of a guardian. An adopted cat quickly becomes attached to its new owner. House cats are much easier to care for and much less expensive. Best of all, a grown domestic cat will never look at your friends as a potential meal.
Pot Bellied Pigs and Sugar Gliders were both big pet fads in recent times.
How have Potbellied Pigs gotten along with their families?
Some guardians do well with their new house mates, others have had many
problems. In some cases, the baby pigs are taken from their mother when
they are just a few days old. These babies, who learn discipline from
their mothers, can act very aggressively.
Potbellied Pigs are very smart creatures and can overwhelm an unsuspecting owner. They also grow to be at least 75 pounds.
Many people overfeed their pigs, or worse, feed them the wrong types of food. This leads to medical problems.
What about the Sugar Gliders?
Sugar Gliders were never the pets some claimed they were. They never bonded to people. They are nocturnal wild animals. Their diet is difficult to properly maintain. Most people who have bought these animals have turned them over to overwhelmed rescuers.
What would you say to someone who was considering purchasing a wild pet?
The Austin Zoo would NOT condone the activity. However, if push came to shove and you could not be dissuaded by researching what really happens in the exotic animal market, there are many issues to consider.
You would need to check your city or county's regulations. There may be a law against keeping such a wild animal. You may have to have permits.
Is there special housing required? Most of these wild creatures will grow faster than you think. That cute little cougar cub can not be slept with all of its life, there is a point where it becomes dangerous.
Do you know a veterinarian that is qualified to practice on exotic animals? He or she should be consulted before making such a purchase.
Are you in a stable relationship? Does your family agree with your desire? Will you be adding new members to your family? Many of these wild creatures become VERY aggressive towards new people. While the owner may be somewhat safe, he cannot count on the safety of friends, external family members or neighborhood children.
You also need to plan for the future. What will happen if you are sick and in the hospital? What happens if you want to go on a two week vacation abroad? What happens if you get laid off? What will become of the animal when you die? Many of these animals can and do outlive their owners. Most wild cats live to be in their twenties. You should also prepare a living trust to care for the animal in the event of an untimely death.
The desire to own these exotic creatures not only limits their freedom and contributes to an illicit black market, but it is a big responsibility. Most people who purchase such animals are unprepared for day to day living with a wild creature.
What about people who have purchased a wild cat, primate or other exotic animal and are having difficulties?
Zoos will not take most of these animals. Most animals now in zoos have pedigrees and DNA results in a gene pool. Their main purpose is in extending the species, many of which have become extinct. Each animal in a zoo has a reason for being there and space is very valuable and very limited.
Look for clubs, rescues and books. Animal Underworld by Alan Green contains a listing of legitimate sources that may be able to assist. Hopefully you already have an exotic pet veterinarian, who should be able to point you in the right direction.
If you simply cannot keep the animal and cannot find a sanctuary, contact the USDA animal inspection division. They may know of a facility that can take it.
Be prepared to ship the animal across country if necessary. The two leopards in the Austin Zoo were shipped from North Carolina. The Austin Zoo was the closest sanctuary available.
There are shady characters who claim to rescue wild animals, who simply put them back into the market by breeding them or by selling them to a different, unsuspecting buyer. Check references or with the USDA before placing your money or your trust in someone offering assistance.
On the Zoo News Page, viewers can see recent additions, departures and animals you've had to turn away, including a cougar cub and a black leopard. What becomes of these animals?
Hopefully they find another sanctuary. The Austin Zoo will try to refer people to places that may be able to help.
The sad reality is that these beautiful wild animals have been swept out of their homes and placed in homes that are unprepared to properly care for them. Most unwanted animals going to a sanctuary, such as the Austin Zoo, have medical problems. Some are easily treated, while others are much more serious.
Each animal has a cost of living and cage requirements. No facility in the country is able to manage the large number of unwanted exotic pets that are being churned though the exotic pet trade.
If you would like to learn more about the exotic pet trade business, a book is available through the Zoo's Gift Shop:
Animal Underworld: Inside
America's Black Market for Rare and Exotic Species
by Alan Green and The Center for Public Integrity. A fascinating,
and often horrifying, expose of the sleazy, sometimes illegal trade in exotic -
and even endangered - species.
USDA Information:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA, APHIS, AC
4700 River Road, Unit 84
Riverdale, MD 20737-1234
e-mail: ace@usda.gov
www.aphis.usda.gov/ac