A charity is calling on the government to change the law to allow Britons to keep exotic animals as pets.
advertisementNew data has opened the door to the secret world of keeping wild animals as pets.
Bushvipers, cheetahs, caimans and even lynx found living around the UK
The data comes from wildlife charity Born Free and provides a complete picture of exotic animal ownership in the UK.
Their new data reveals an alarming picture of the more than 2,700 dangerous wild animals that legally live in UK homes under permits granted under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 .
The wild pet zoo includes over 200 wild felines, over 250 primates, and 400 venomous snakes.
Complete local data collected from local authorities is available on Born Free's Dangerous Wildlife Map.
Anyone can now log on to this new data to see if dangerous wildlife like lions, crocodiles, and venomous reptiles are living nearby.
Approximately 3,000 wild animals are kept as pets in the UK.
The charity said it was “very concerned” about the approximately 3,000 wildlife kept as “pets” across the UK, which are classified as dangerous under British law.
Dr Mark Jones, Head of Policy at Born Free, expressed disbelief at the persistence of this practice, saying: “In this day and age, so many dangerous animals are allowed to legally live in people's homes.'' I can't believe they are still kept in captivity.”
Dr Jones added that keeping wild animals as exotic pets puts owners and the public at risk of injury and disease, and can result in severe suffering for the animals.
Wild animals have complex needs
The dangers posed by keeping living things untamed are very alarming. Unlike domestic animals, which have been bred over generations to coexist with humans, wildlife have complex needs that cannot be adequately met by living in captivity.
Born Free's main concerns are that keeping wild animals as pets can cause physical and psychological distress, and that keeping them as family 'pets' compromises the animal's welfare.
Additionally, the surge in demand for exotic “pets” is exacerbating pressure on already endangered wild populations.
Chris Lewis, director of captive research at Born Free, said: “The Dangerous Wild Animals Act is intended to make the captivity of animals classified as 'dangerous' completely exceptional circumstances. Free's ongoing research paints a very different picture.”
Mr Lewis added: “I think the public would be understandably shocked to learn that so many animals are being kept by private zookeepers.”
What are the risks to the public?
Born Free also believes the risks extend beyond private property. These animals pose a serious threat to public safety due to their innate wild instincts.
Trapped in an unnatural environment, they are left with a ticking time bomb of unpredictable behavior. There is also the looming threat of zoonotic diseases, which are potential vectors of transmission from animals to humans. It is speculated that the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) originated in animals before infecting humans.
The charity's research also revealed several gaps in regulation. Despite legal requirements for disclosure, some councils do not know the exact species being kept.
advertisementIt also highlights some worrying trends, including the growing appeal of owning exotic cats, especially mixed-breed cats. The number of people adopting these feral cats is on the rise, and Born Free says that “the current epidemic appears to be driven by the appearance of feral cats in social media posts.”
Lemur ownership has also increased from 151 to 175 since 2020, highlighting the urgent need for stricter regulations on primate ownership.
Should laws regarding dangerous wild animals be changed?
Following the findings, Born Free is calling on the UK government to review the Dangerous Wild Animals Act (DWAA).
This law was first enacted in 1976 and amended in 2010. Anyone wishing to keep an animal covered by the Dangerous Wild Animals Act must apply for a permit from their local authority. Individuals who keep wild animals must also do so in a manner that minimizes risk to the public.
Since 2005, Born Free has been at the forefront of campaigns to protect the welfare of exotic animals kept as pets. However, their latest findings highlight the need for further existing legislation.
advertisementThe charity argues that the Dangerous Wild Animals Act, 1976, is woefully outdated and has not kept up with evolving scientific understanding and social norms.
