Exotic Animal Trade

People who keep exotic animals as pets do not realize the danger they are putting on the animals or themselves. There have been around 2,000 incidents involving captive exotic pets that have been reported and 75 reported deaths between the years of 1990

However, exotic animals also bring additional dangers with them, like diseases. “Exotic pets can also spread diseases to humans,” (Lewis 104). Lewis meant that in addition to the normal threats exotic animals pose, like deadly attacks, or unpredictable behavior, the diseases they could carry should be of concern. Those diseases could be extremely rare, but also extremely harmful. They have the potential to spread not just to the owners of the exotic animals, but also to the people around them, like family members or fellow members of their community. Those diseases have the potential to be life threatening, or even lethal. “Reptiles can carry salmonella bacteria, and monkeys can carry the herpes B unis, both which can be deadly in humans,” ( Rettner amp.livescience.com). Just a little scratch, a terrible bite, or even a nub from an exotic animal can transfer disease. It’s best to stick with domesticated

In most places owning a dog or cat is second nature, but what about a tiger, bear or maybe python? Exotic pet ownership is far from having a clear right or wrong answer but it is in need of a ban for both the protection of animal and owner.For exotic pet owners, owning a wild beast insures a sense of power and uniqueness. It is also their way of contributing to the conservation of a species by having a “backup population” once human population growth and habitat destruction has resulted in extinction (Slater 113). But in reality the ownership of wild animals as pets only helps to damage already fragile ecosystems, both the one from which they came from and the new one in which they find themselves. Animals in captivity are also stripped of a natural life in the wild, free of confinement and unsuitable care. Finally, the risk to humans is very large, injuries inflicted from exotic pets are dangerous and possibly deadly. Bans vary from state to state, ranging from no ban to partial ban to complete ban, but even in states with full bans, exotic pet ownership still occurs. Private ownership of an exotic animal as a pet should be banned in the US, due to disruptions in ecosystems, the dangers that wild animals are exposed too, and the risks to the owners of these pets.

Children who live in homes where animal abuse is present are often abused themselves and unfortunately, sometimes carry on with the cycle of abuse later on in life. “More than 80 percent of family members being treated for child abuse also had abused animals. In one-third of the cases, a child victim continued the cycle of violence by abusing a pet (“The animal abuse home violence connection”, 2013).”

“It is quite clear that in abusing animals we abuse our relationship with animals, and that we abuse ourselves. We become less human to the extent that we treat any living beings as things” (R.D. Laing). There is a very evident connection between animal cruelty and cruelty to other humans. In studies conducted between 1983 and 2004, 60% of children who met the criteria for child abuse/neglect had families that were cruel to their pets. In 88%

Increased awareness regarding animal cruelty would benefit society, pet owners, and animals themselves. When a problem is identified, it becomes easier to work out solutions. Animal cruelty is an issue on a global scale; animal torture and neglect does not only exist in the United States. Animal cruelty is the “crime of inflicting physical pain, suffering or death on an animal, usually a tame one, beyond necessity for normal discipline. It can include neglect that is so monstrous (withholding food and water) that the animal has suffered, died or been put in an imminent

There are a plethora of news sites, organizations, and establishments, all within the American fur trade, that enjoy deceiving the general public with claims of a humane and safe fur trade. While these claims seem to hold credibility, they fall flat once challenged with heavy evidence of cruelty and peril. The fur trade should be outright banned from the United States as it excludes humane methods of euthanasia, utilizes wretched methods of confinement, and as it acts as an extreme health hazard. Trappers, farmers, retail stores, and any individual who accommodates this cruelty, fails to take into consideration the lives of millions of animals, as well as their own health.

Recently, the poaching controversy has gained more attention in the news and media due to the killing of Cecil the Lion back in 2015. But what exactly is poaching and why is it illegal? Poaching can be defined as the illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals. Animals are captured and killed for their parts and products that are eventually sold on the black market and to cartels to make medicines, trinkets, and other products. Animals are typically poached for personal gain and value.The the illegal poaching trade in Africa alone has accumulated a worth of $17 billion dollars a year and it keeps growing. Ivory, fur, skin, and bones especially are in high demand and places/people are willing to pay high numbers for these products, so it is no surprise that people continue to hunt them. Due to poaching, the tiger is one of the most endangered species in the world . Tiger parts, such as fur, skin, and bones, are seen as a luxury and are used as commerce on the black market and secretly throughout Asia. Although China has participated in the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species, the laws are commonly ignored and it remains the primary destination for tiger parts. Elephants are also on the brink of extinction and the number hunted per year keeps increasing. Despite international ivory trade being banned in the 1990s, it is still sold on the black market and sought after in Asia; once again, China being the biggest demander. According to Kideghesho in Sage Journals , “widespread poaching coupled with inefficient law enforcement in Tanzania was manifested in the dramatic decline of the elephant population to less than 30% of what it was in 1979, a drop from 316,000 to 85,000 by 1987.” Rhinos are also greatly sought after in Africa. In

My friends and I were walking down a dark alley we heard screaming, fighting, and a lot of movement. When we looked in the alley all we saw was... If you are aggressive to the pets they will be aggressive back and will be worse for you because they can bite,scratch, or even make you bleed. Animals should not be kept in cages. When animals or pets are stuck in cages they don’t have fun in their life they don’t play, run and not even do anything in a little box. The only thing they can do with a little box is eat and drink water or milk. Imagine you were that animal kept away from your natural home used for money.

Tigers. Snakes. Chimpanzees. Exotic pets are a controversial topic in modern-day society, and a common story. Pet enthusiast decides to buy a cute little cub. 10 or 15 years later, it becomes a ferocious 200 pound lion. The owner doesn’t know what to do with it, so he releases it into the wild. The lion wreaks havoc on the community many defenseless people get injured. However, even with all the stories with lions, tigers, snakes, and other exotic creatures, people all around the nation still choose to buy exotic pets. Exotic animals kept as pets can cause a huge deal of damage to property, the ecosystem, and people around it. It is a subtle, but dangerous problem that has enormous impacts on us and our environment. Exotic animals should not

Tiger bones are supposed to cure arthritis, while pangolin and turtle shells are other classic remedies. Even the United State has seen the use of these treatments up close. Surprisingly, traces of tiger bone in medicine can be found in about 40% of small medicine stores (Congressional). However, not all consumers of a poached animals are seeking a healthier lifestyle. Some of the younger upperclass Chinese use tiger bone in products such as shampoo, wine, and soup as a declaration of their wealth. They buy expensive these products simply because they can afford to buy such expensive products. This certainly makes a statement, seeing that the bones of a Tiger can cost up to $7,000 in US dollars (Endangered). Nevertheless, the flaunting of status shouldn’t justify the murder of these elegant creatures. In the article “Endangered and in demand” the author explains:

Animal poaching has a bigger price tag than the trophy sitting on the shelf. Poaching is causing iconic animals of many continents and of our oceans to become endangered or even extinct. These animals that people have come to love and fantasize over may be gone before we are (Africa). Elephants, rhinos, lions, and zebras are the animals thought of the most when it comes to animal poaching, but many animals are poached. They are killed for only one quality, like their horns or skins and the rest of the animal is left behind. Poaching is a massive business that is ran by international networks, it’s estimated to make hundreds of millions of dollars (World). Not all wildlife trade is illegal, but it becomes a crisis when an increasing amount of illegal poaching is done and it directly threatens the survival of species in the wild (World). Since 1960 97.6% of the Black Rhino population in Africa has been poached and lions are extinct in seven African countries (Africa).

The question of humanity arises every couple of years, on the topic - should exotic animals be allowed to be kept as pets. Is it humane for the beings who feel pain, give birth, take care of their young like human beings do to be behind bars? According to the National Geographic 66 percent of wild animals are owned privately while the 28 percent of the animals reside in the zoo. Some of the exotic animals can be found as pets rather than in the wild. The estimated number of Tigers kept as pets are between 5,000 and 7,000, which is more than the ones that exist in the wild. Interested buyers can purchase a tiger cheaper than some of the purebred dogs, for the price as shocking as 300 dollars. Though some states in the United States do allow wild animals as pets, it is still illegal in most states or require a license for it. Most of the animals as pets are through illegal routes like underground auctions and smuggling.

It is also essential to define and differentiate the terms “animal poaching” and “illegal animal trade.” Animal poaching can best be understood as the unlawful taking or killing of animals, and illegal animal trade is a business that is dependent on animal poaching, which consists of using poached animals to make various profitable products such as food, leather goods, medicine, and miscellaneous souvenirs (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service). The history of animal poaching goes back to the beginnings of what could be considered modern society. Up until the twentieth century, poaching was a way for impoverished lower classes to make up for the inadequate amounts of food that they could afford, and was eventually made illegal in order to reserve hunting as an activity exclusive to the upper class (Encyclopedia Brittanica). Once the field of wildlife conservation began to gain influence in the 1900s, nations across the globe began implementing acts to prevent harmful practices from continuing (Shadow). Despite government involvement, poaching has continued into the present day due to the high value of items such as ivory and rhino horns (Lawson & Vines, 5). It is with the knowledge of these definitions and the long history of animal poaching that the World Wildlife Foundation developed this advertising campaign.

Next, multiple animals are treated very inhumane, and are abused during transit to other countries. Diseases are also spread very easily due to the fact that the animals are placed in very poor and unsanitary living conditions. According to PETA, “When trappers take animals away from their natural habitats, the animals often change hands several times through intermediaries and exporters, and they endure grueling transport conditions.” This quote explains that when animals are taken away from their homes,