Out Of The Wild-Animal Desensitization

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In recent headline news there was a story about a 200 pound pet chimp that attacked and critically injured a woman visiting her friend's house in Connecticut. It seems these stories are becoming a more common occurrence across the nation. Do we as humans have the right to take wild animals and keep them as pets essentially desensitizing them and expecting them to conform and play by our rules in our environment? Is it fair for us to dictate just how these animals will flourish and thrive and trying to take the wildness out of the animal and tame them just to keep them as a pet for our own selfish needs? Some say this is a serious problem trying to domesticate wild exotic animals and can have a lasting detrimental affect on both the animal and the people around them. Depending on which state you are from keeping an exotic animal as a pet could be illegal and could require a permit or license. If kept illegally you could face a hefty fine or possible jail time.

Although there have been successful cases of animals being rehabilitated and released back into the wild is best to leave this to professional agencies familiar with the specialty care of wildlife. These wild animals have evolved for millions of years and some people still think they can erase this. Predatory instincts are not something that can be changed or re-taught. The idea that these animals can live among humans is still a dream that some people hold close. Many of these people don't understand the financial and medical aspects of caring for these animals on a daily basis. Many of them are purchased at birth at auctions or breeders in sometimes face cruelty and neglect.

The laws in this country need to be drastically changed when it comes to caging and keeping these animals as pets. Exotic animals kept as pets are definitely a controversial and sensitive topic and there are many people out there who say it can be done properly. These animals usually become aggressive or dangerous as they reach maturity and accidents can happen. Understanding the way these animals work can be the first step in preserving their environment and changing our actions into something positive and beneficial. These old souls and spirits need to be free to roam in their own natural environment only then will we truly coexist and understand the true essence and specialness of these animals.