Illegal, exotic pet sales thrive on black market
By Mollie Hogan Special to the Acorn

African serval

Why an exotic pet?

What makes one pet seeker settle for a dog or cat, while another seeks out a wolf or a lion? In the opinion of one California animal control officer, "most people who keep wild animals have them as a vanity pet, for their own ego, not for the benefit of the animal."

Officially there are several hundred exotic animals living in Los Angeles County. But since the state of California has a law discouraging ownership of exotic animals as pets, many more are kept illegally.

Whatever motive may prompt the desire for an exotic pet, the trade in exotic animals is presently a $5-billion business. In the black market it is third in profit behind drugs and arms. At the top of smuggling activity are the rare and endangered species traded in low volume for big price tags.

More common animals- exotic but not endangered, sometimes legal, many times not- are high volume, driven by changing fads for weird pets. An example is the iguana. In the wake of "Jurassic Park," iguanas became the trendy pet.

Unfortunately, the Slither Critters Foundation, which rescues and rehabilitates reptiles, soon became inundated with unwanted iguanas, which eventually grow to be 5 feet long and require a very large habitat.

Think about it

If, for whatever reason, you cannot settle for something more prosaic than an exotic pet, do your homework thoroughly. Learn all about the chosen animal's potential growth and habitat needs, its proper care, diet, habits, etc.

Because many exotic creatures bond closely with their "owners," an exotic pet should be considered a responsibility for the lifetime of that animal.

In the case of a glamorous parrot, such as the popular, colorful macaw, this can mean a commitment of 40 to 80 years. A macaw comes with other considerations as well: a tropical rainforest scream that can be heard a mile away; a need to chew on wood and a tendency to bite; a temperament that needs and demands attention.

If after much thought a macaw is still the pet of choice, only a hand-raised, captive-bred one should be considered.

Due to their popularity, parrots are among the most valued species on the black market and also one of the most abused. An estimated 60 to 80 percent of smuggled birds die en route, concealed by traders in containers ranging from gas cans and tennis ball holders to spare tires and engine compartments.

Finally, there are two other major considerations for all prospective buyers of exotic pets, particularly those with children:

•Exotic animals can carry some diseases communicable to humans.

•When an exotic animal matures, its instincts take over. You cannot take the "wild" out of a wild animal.

Founded by Mollie Hogan in 1995, the Nature of Wildworks provides interactive wildlife educational programs to enhance the public's understanding of nature and the environment and to ensure lifetime quality care for the abandoned, orphaned and nonreleasable animals in the group's care. For more information, visit natureofwildworks.org.