Can You Domesticate A Wild Animal?

Baby wild animals sure are cute, and some numbers can back that up. A YouTube video posted in December of 2018 of them has over 65 million views. One of the biggest problems exotic pet owners face is one that there is no avoiding; those adorable babies grow up.  Without proper education, their size and strength can become unmanageable in a relatively short time. Bears can grow from a couple of pounds to over eighty in a year, and tigers born at around 7lbs can grow to over 200 their first year. We are so used to domesticated cats, and the cuteness of a cub is so familiar that it’s hard to remember the furball is a wild animal. Even a baby big cat can cause serious damage or kill a person.

There is a tremendous difference between a domesticated animal and a tamed animal. It has taken thousands of years of selective breeding for wolves to be domesticated as man's best friend. We have been able to breed out traits like aggression and fear of man and breed in more friendliness. Taming is not the same as domesticating it. A tamed animal is just an individual, and even though they may take our food, snuggle with us, and act as loyal pets, they have individual personalities which make their reactions unpredictable. The changes we see are behavioral, and when push comes to shove, they are still wild, and their instincts can take over without warning, often with deadly consequences.

The number of big cat attacks is on the rise, and between 2000 and 2018, 36% of attacks were by privately owned cats. While the cats get the news, they aren't the only ones. A Texas man was gored and killed by the 500lb deer he was trying to domesticate. Deaths have also been recorded via pet wolves, pythons, lizards, camels, black widows, and even hippos. Chimpanzee attacks have been some of the most gruesome recorded. We are also putting ourselves in harm's way because the diseases they can carry are transmissible to humans like rabies, salmonella, bubonic plague, and parasites like intestinal worms.

Unfortunately, we are unknowingly doing as much damage to the animals. They instinctually know what to eat in the wild to thrive, and replicating their diet is extremely difficult; it's not like the local pet store has a wild pet food section. Using the wrong food can lead to:

• Obesity: The extra weight puts an undue strain on muscles, joints, ligaments, and organs and promotes diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

• Malnutrition: Lack of the proper nutrients can lead to immune disorders, nerve damage, and rickets. It also can reduce their lifespan.

• Behavior: They may exhibit anxiousness and aggression.

In 2002, big cats in captivity (which is what keeping them as a pet really is) were broken into groups and fed different diets. The ones that were fed chicken only had a greater percentage of muscular and neurological disorders. The group that had a "wild" diet had zero disorders.

The unfortunate truth is many animals we think about rescuing don't need rescuing at all. Mother rabbits and opossums, among others, leave their babies alone during the day while they look for food or to keep predators away. This natural process promotes healthy growth physically and mentally for the young.

In California there are Restricted Species Laws and Regulations, making it illegal to own, import, transport, or release specified animals into the wild. To try and own one, one must apply for a Restricted Species Permit or Native Species Exhibiting Permit. Some of the more popular species that are illegal to own are ferrets, gerbils, squirrels, hedgehogs, and all wild rabbits and hares.The state has a comprehensive list of animals that are a no go. Owning one of these can result in a fine of up to $10,000, a misdemeanor charge, and up to 6 months in prison, per incident, more if the animal is endangered.

The impact of releasing non-native species into the environment can have devastating consequences, up to 120 billion dollars annually in the US. It has been well documented how released Burmese Pythons have taken over the Everglades and Green Iguanas have overrun South Florida. The sad fact is that we are not trained well enough to house them properly, and escapes do happen quite frequently. Recently, a venomous Zebra Cobra slipped away from its owner in Raleigh, NC. Luckily the 7-foot serpent was found, and no one was injured. Even the best prepared places have breakouts, and in 2011, 56 exotic animals including bears, lions, leopards, and a herpes-infected monkey escaped in a bizarre case.

Keeping a wild animal as a pet can put your family and the public at risk and can be considered a form of abuse. In Los Angeles and Ventura counties, nuisance animals finding their way onto your property is an issue enough. Contact the leader in wildlife removal for over 20 years, 101 Gopher & Pest Control, for an estimate when that happens.