The tropical region boasts unparalleled biodiversity. I still do not know if there's any other part of the world that comes close. I’ve witnessed firsthand the awe and dangers this diversity brings, from encounters with dangerous wild animals to heartbreaking stories of human-animal conflict.
A few years ago, my neighbor nearly lost their child to a snake bite in our semi-urban area. Thankfully, quick medical intervention saved the child, but it served as a stark reminder of the risks of living so close to nature’s raw power. I even shared the full story on my blog.
The snake that bit my neighbour's son some years back
One of the most chilling incidents tied to wildlife in my city is connected to the university zoo. Growing up, I heard tales of lions being killed after fatally attacking a zookeeper. Skeptically, I visited the university museum, only to find the preserved lions on display with easily visible gunshot wounds. These majestic beasts, even in death, served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of housing wild animals.
Years later, the university restocked the zoo with new lions. Tragically, history repeated itself just last year when another lion killed the zookeeper responsible for its feeding. Investigations revealed the lion wasn’t starved; it simply acted on its wild instincts. A sobering reminder: wild animals remain unpredictable, no matter the care provided.
The lion was killed and curated in the OAU Museum
Another recent example involves a popular Instagram wildlife content creator who was bitten by a venomous snake during a shoot. The bite sent him into anaphylactic shock, and he is now fighting for his life. While some might question why someone allergic to venom would handle snakes, it underscores a deeper truth: working with wild animals always carries risk, no matter how experienced you are.
Despite these risks, keeping animals as companions has undeniable benefits for humans, particularly in providing companionship and emotional support. Personally, I’m a cat lover, though I’ve yet to keep one. The reasons are not far-fetched - my wife dislikes cats and, at some point, even influenced one of our children to develop a phobia for them. Lately, she seems to have softened her stance, but another obstacle remains: our home lacks a fenced compound. I wouldn’t want a cat that I have to confine indoors 24/7, as I believe animals, even pets, need space to explore.
Yet, when it comes to wild animals, keeping them as pets is a completely different matter. Despite countless cautionary tales, many people remain fascinated with keeping wild animals as pets. There’s the story of Travis the chimpanzee in the U.S., who lived as a beloved pet for years until one day, without warning, he attacked a family friend, leaving her permanently disfigured. Or the case of Marius Els in South Africa, who was fatally mauled by his pet hippo after years of doting on the animal.
Unless a wild animal has been irreversibly tamed, keeping them as pets is a dangerous gamble. Whether these animals can be completely tamed is another discussion on its own. They may seem docile at times, but their instincts remain intact. Wild animals, after all, are meant to stay wild.
We live in a world where humans seem to no longer find fun in the ordinary but in the extraordinary. If you are so bored that keeping a wild animal as a pet is the only thing that can excite you, remember to stay safe as much as you can.
Thank you for reading.