I love the idea of owning a pet like a dog, cat, or bird; it is really cool. Having them around helps in so many ways, like dogs for security and cats to help chase away rats. But you see, the idea of owning wild and exotic animals like lions, tigers, or other dangerous animals can be fascinating. For some people it can be like ultimate power, freedom, or deep love for animals, but for me that is a dangerous game. Oftentimes I hear people argue or say things like, If I can afford it, care for it, and love it, why shouldn't I be allowed to own it? If you are too bothered, I will tame it to obey me. Because of the story of how zoos are poorly funded and reserves are overcrowded, it might seem better that private owners might give the animals a better life. But when we slow down and really think about it, the issue is bigger than money or having good intentions.
Whether we like it or not, wild animals are not pets at all; they can't be like cats and dogs. They are called wild for a reason; they are made to roam vast spaces, hunt for their survival, and live according to instincts that have been shaped by nature. Forget the video we watch of how whites train their wild animals and stay with them as family. No matter how young a tiger or lion was when you started training them, it doesn't stop them from being wild. It just stays quiet for the meantime until something triggers them. When such a thing happens, the result is always dangerous or very fatal. It doesn't just put the owner at risk, but also his or her family members, neighbors, and the environment the person is living in.
Beyond safety, what of the animal's well-being? Loving an animal can never be enough; it is okay to love them. Wild animals have specific physical and emotional needs that might be difficult to meet in a private setting. They require space, stimulation, a proper diet, and a good veterinarian. Many of these exotic animals kept by private owners end up stressed, unhealthy, and depressed, sometimes not because the owner is cruel but because the environment cannot simply replace their natural habitat.
Many people might argue that zoos and wildlife reserves are not perfect, and well, that is true, although not every facility offers ideal conditions. But professional zoos and conservation centers are run by trained experts who understand the animals behavior and health. That is why I love those whites who pick the wild animals from small and tame them to a certain age or level and then look for a good zoo to send them there, then visit them from time to time so they won't forget them.
I visited a zoo in Port Harcourt, and I noticed why some people would want to keep these animals to themselves. Because some of the animals I saw there looked like they were sick, somewhere suffering from malnutrition, especially the lion and the peacock. Another thing is conservation and zoos have bigger purposes: to help in protecting endangered species, supporting conservation efforts, and educating the public about wildlife. Private owners hardly adhere to these goals, especially those Arabic wild animal owners. Some of them encourage wild animal trading. At the end, respecting wildlife is not about owning them but understanding that some animals are not made to be under human control.
Images are Ai generated.
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