When wild animals escape: could the exotic pet trade be our downfall? | Human Animal

Exotic pet ownership in the UK has grown 60% since 2000, according to the wildlife charity Born Free. But escaped wild animals are also a growing concern for their potential to spread disease, and the impact an invasive species might have on nature.

The Guardian visits BeastWatch, an organisation of volunteers that specialises in the safe retrieval of exotic pets, and Bristol Zoo to see how wild animals are kept in captivity and ask if new laws can address some of the issues

#HumanAnimal #Exotics #ExoticPets #Pets #UK #Guardian #BeastWatch #BornFree

[cerebral]

Our downfall is growing antibiotic resistance due to factory farming (poor conditions = disease, plus antibiotics speed up growth = profits). Pandemics will keep coming, also in large part due to factory farming but they are nothing compared to losing things like penicillin.

[lolitaras]

As a philozoist, I warn all animals, wild or domesticated, to avoid any contact with great apes of the sapiens strain.

[Specogecko]

Love how that guy treats the corn snake as if it’s venomous

[ek]

Cats do far more damage to numerous species than any other animal yet exotic pet owners are constantly blamed.

[AlexrodriguezTX]

Did not like the way he treated that snake

[williamculbertson]

So long as certain precautions like GPS tagging, electric fence, etc. are taken I don't see why it shouldn't be allowed

[narrgamedesigner]

How is it okay to just throw the snake around like its just a prop

[jennytone]

I have a corn snake. He is super sweet and easy going.

[Purpmaster]

I think the interviewer just hate animals lol

[Redmerkur]

Yes but domestic cats are fine The single most destructive species on the planet next to ourselves

[hankskorpio]

Exotic pet traders should have their big toes and thumbs removed. In literally every circumstance. There simply is no excuse

[kendallkahl]

The fuss is overblown. If skunks escaped it would just mean less adders and rats but more stinky dogs. Racoons haven't been much of a problem anywhere but will raid fruit orchards.

[kimomuhammad]

The government of Qatar should stop inciting hatred and contempt for homosexuals. It is not enough to allow the rainbow flag to be raised in stadiums. Rather, they should abolish the prison sentence for homosexuals. If the authorities do not respond, FIFA must transfer the competition to Britain, where all the infrastructure is ready and respect the rights of homosexuals and transgender people.

[rayhuckle]

wildlife should live and die in the wild

[WallyTony]

I go to the Florida reptile shows and buy any cheap snake I can get. Then I release them in the Everglades.

[sanchog]

I've been trying to get one of them pet monkey orangutangs for ages after watching that Clint Eastwood movie. Can't get them anywhere. Any idea who sells them??