🔥 Unbelievable but true – Over 2,200 wild animals, including tigers, crocodiles, and venomous snakes, are legally kept as pets in the UK! 😲 Brought to light by wildlife charity Born Free, this crazy fact is prompting calls for a major overhaul of the 50-year-old Dangerous Wild Animals Act.
From pit vipers to big cats like lions and cheetahs, many of these exotic creatures are living in private homes. Incredibly, over 500 venomous snakes and nearly 300 primates are amongst those being kept across the country. Even an elephant and the world’s deadliest snake, the saw-scaled viper, are on the list!
Wildlife icon Dame Joanna Lumley passionately argues these wild animals should never be kept as domestic companions. Why? It props up a cruel trade and puts public safety at risk. Born Free’s research also revealed a shocking trend: the rising popularity of small wild cats and hybrids as “fashionable” pets, spurred on by social media.
Local authorities issue licences under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act, but many argue this system fails to ensure animals are kept in humane conditions. Chris Lewis from Born Free highlights a grim reality: more venomous snakes are kept in homes than in British zoos!
It’s time for policy change! Born Free is urging the government to tighten laws, aiming to protect these creatures and ensure public safety. They want strict measures, stronger enforcement, and a commitment to animal welfare and conservation. As for wild animals used in conservation, such as bison, there’s a call for a new ‘kept wild’ status ensuring these animals can roam free while boosting natural habitats.
What’s your take on keeping wild animals as pets? Should laws be stricter? 🐍🐅🐊 Let us know your thoughts! 🌿 #WildSide #BornFreeCall #AnimalWelfare #PetSafety #UKPets