IT’S no secret that there’s something irresistibly cute about baby animals, yet few people realise the risks of trying to keep wildlife as pets.
Over the past few months CROW has seen a record spike in the amount of baby animals admitted into the centre that have been kept as pets.
The illegal wildlife pet trade has become a huge threat to conservation efforts put in place by the Nature Conservation Authorities and local rehabilitation centres.
Tayla Hawkins, CROW Primate Officer, explained that taking on a pet, let alone a wild baby animal, is unlike caring for an infant child.
“The presumption that all baby animals should be raised on cow’s milk and wear diapers is both incorrect and unethical, however the dietary misinterpretation is not the only threat posed to “wild pets”.”
“Other than the lawful implications one can be faced with for keeping a wild animal without a permit, these babies will soon grow to become unmanageable and aggressive as their natural behaviours have been stunted during the learning phase of their lives. Species which are commonly kept as pets include Banded Mongoose, Vervet Monkeys, Baboons and Antelope. Without proper knowledge of their social structures, dietary needs, natural behaviours and environmental needs you may find yourself on the wrong side of a very agitated wild animal. This is when cases of maiming, horn removal and castration become more prevalent,” she said.
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“Primates in particular have a reputation for making good pets, this could not be further from the truth. Most primates belong to social hierarchies and once removed from this hierarchy, a monkey will structure its own within your household. This is when the biting starts, the urinating and defecating on furniture and other seemingly destructive behaviours. One of the biggest problems behind the wildlife pet trade is the belief that a wild animal can be tamed. No wild animal can be tamed, it can however be conditioned. This conditioning allows for these animals to mask their behaviours better than they would in the wild which is when owners are attacked and rehabilitation centres are left with the now habituated ex pet. This poses many issues for both the centre as well as the animal. Trying to integrate a wild animal who has never known others of their own kind, teach proper behaviours and social structure is extremely difficult and sadly, sometimes unachievable.”
“When you find a baby animal, whether it be a baby bird, antelope, monkey or mongoose, do not try and raise this animal yourself as this poses a threat to its survival. We appreciate the assistance we receive from members of the public however, when it comes to specialised care, these animals need to be taken to your local vet, SPCA or wildlife rehabilitation centre to get the care they need and ensure they’re with their own kind,” she said.
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