To Keep or Not to Keep

Over the years and throughout human history, we all may have come across stories of wildlife in captivity. Through tales of exotic birds with clipped wings in tiny little cages or an aquarium full of fish swimming in the same small circles, we are shown that wildlife has been readily domesticated to fit the criteria of the ‘ideal’ pet or companion that one could have. With wild animals especially, pet owners attempt to teach them how to be civilised and more suitable for them, which really takes away from the essence of their primitive nature. Most of these ‘exotic pets’ thrive best in their natural habitat, the wild. Though a commendable amount of awareness has been created on this topic, some individuals still seem to keep these animals caged and trapped for their own personal gain.

                                     Red-eared sliders are known to destroy the local biodiversity if released in lakes. 

Some animals, such as dogs and cats, have been kept as pets for centuries and have been able to adapt to such a lifestyle with relative ease. However, animals such as birds, reptiles, amphibians, or multiple mammals such as sugar gliders or pocket monkeys require lots of space and do not survive as well as they would in their natural habitat. Their primitive instinct is vital for their survival, however, they are unable to apply this instinct once domesticated. Wild animals are not generally docile creatures either, due to the conditions that they have adapted to, and they possess different eating habits to the generic dog or cat. Living in captivity also guarantees multiple instances of suffering, as the environmental needs that such critters require cannot even be met artificially. They may require certain temperatures and foods that would be hard to gain. The level of adaptation that has begun to occur due to the elongated timeframe in which these critters have stayed in captivity disconnects them from their untamed roots. These animals have been brought into countries that are climatically unfit for them, actually causing the species itself to adapt to those weather conditions. An example of this could be bringing in wildlife such as a macaw from the Amazonian rainforests or a Budgie from the Australian grasslands to the barren, concrete streets of Bangalore.

According to Indian law, animals such as poultry, dogs, cats, horses, pigs, rabbits, cattle and some variety of birds and fish can be kept as pets. However, exotic animals such as snakes, turtles such as the red-eared slider, and even wild birds are still smuggled in from foreign locations and sold in the black market, displaying that the laws against keeping such animals as pets are not stringent. Furthermore, many of these animals require tons of space to thrive too, and birds and fish survive best when they are able to exist in their natural habitats, regardless of the love and affection that they may get in their domestic homes.

A year ago, the national government issued a notice asking people who owned exotic wildlife to voluntarily disclose information in order to streamline imports and ownership of such species, but they have not done anything with the information since. This is a step in the right direction, however, action still needs to be taken to strengthen the rules against possessing wildlife.

Though these animals are fascinating to look at, we must learn to appreciate them from a distance. Keeping them in captivity does not help them flourish in the way that they should, and even reduces their lifespan. An alternative way to display affection for them could be by donating money towards their survival and protection or viewing them from afar through safaris in wildlife reserves. If you have an exotic pet, it is advised to not release it in any area that is not its natural habitat. This could cause exotic wildlife to either be killed by other animals or to even starve themselves as they would not gain the nourishment that they require from another habitat outside of their natural one.

I believe as individuals we should think about the happiness of the animal rather than our own. Their happiness lies within their freedom and captivating them simply deprives them of this. Though they may seem content with the life they lead as a domesticated pet, there may always be a part of them that longs to be in their real home. And that home may be up in the clouds, amongst the lush greenery, or even in the free-flowing water bodies that they know inside out. The most loving thing we humans can do for our wildlife is to honour them and their freedom.





Authored by Keyaa Hira, Volunteer, PfA Wildlife Rescue & Conservation Centre.