EXOTIC PETS The landscape has changed

Transcription

1 EXOTIC PETS The landscape has changed

2 Today smaller animals predominate

3 Problems with exotic pets Animal welfare Species reduction and/or extinction, disruption of ecosystems Introduction of foreign diseases to native wildlife populations, establishment as invasive species Public health and safety Nuisance issues Cost issues (local, regional, national) Many species overlooked or ignored by existing laws

4 Can t Know Everything Mammals (5,516) Birds (10,426) Reptiles (10,272) Amphibians (6,199) Fish (31,500) Other (?)

5 Animal Welfare The welfare of an individual is their state as they attempt to cope with their environment. Welfare encompasses both the physical and psychological well-being of animals.

6 Animal Welfare The absence of negative emotional states (suffering) and the presence of positive emotional states (pleasure) are determinants of welfare. At a point, welfare decreases when the effort an animal puts into coping begins to make the animal feel worse.

7 Stresses of Captivity (Not where they are supposed to be) Restriction of natural movements and behaviours Lack of activity/exercise Violation of fight/flight distance Inability to deal with new and/or novel stressors (light, sound, temperature) New diseases and parasites Observation-related effects Stress: The consequences of the failure of the body to respond appropriately to physical or emotional threats.

8 Physical Impacts of Captivity Loss of condition, including musculature and cardivascular fitness Retarded growth Skeletal problems Dental problem Poor coat/skin condition, hair loss, overgrown nails/ hooves Obesity Immune system suppression/ disease Other physiological changes

9 Psychological Impacts of Captivity Range of unpleasant emotional states Fear/ Rage/ Panic Frustration Anxiety Boredom Deprivation Suffering Aberrant Behaviours stereotypies, (movement, oral, other), hyper-aggression, hyper-sexuality, coprophagia, lethargy

10 Core Quality of Life Considerations Necessities of Survival Space Complexity Social Context Stimulation/Activity

11 Welfare Indicators Behavioural Physiological Preference Comparison Numerous assessment tools available.

12 Prof GM Burghardt University of Tennessee No captive environments can ever hope to fully simulate or mimic those lived in by wild animals, even the smallest and most sedentary species. All we can really do in zoos and aquariums is to work within the parameters of controlled deprivation. Burghardt, G.M. (2013) Environmental enrichment and cognitive complexity in reptiles and amphibians: Concepts, review, and implications for captive populations. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 147:

13 The Precautionary Principle If an action or policy might cause severe or irreversible harm, in the absence of a scientific consensus, the burden of proof that harm will not result falls on those who would advocate taking the action. In other words: If in doubt, don t do it.

14 Totem Pole of Priorities 1. Seller 2. Buyer 3. Animal 1. Animal 2. Buyer 3. Seller

15 REPTILES Behavioural ecology and natural history should inform captive housing and husbandry.

16 Cognitive, emotional and social capabilities of reptiles, amphibians and fish exceed what was once thought Innateness/precocity Problem solving Use buttons Play Memory year on year Eye contact

17 Misconceptions about reptiles (and other exotics) Biological robots driven entirely by instinct Easy to keep Do not need space Do not need complex, flexible environments Do not need specialized environmental conditions Do not need specialized nutrition Do not experience pain, stress or suffering like mammals and birds

18 Reptiles have a range of needs Physical (anatomical, physiological, pain perception, injury, disease) Environmental (temperature, lighting, humidity, furnishings, landscape) Psychological (cognitive, mental, innateness) Ethological (behavioural, social, psycho-social, innateness)

19 Need for Space Home range studies of reptiles have frequently shown them to be highly active and that they travel either within local ranges of several hundreds of square meters or indefinite ranges measured in hundreds or thousands of kilometres.

20 Sagebrush lizard blends beautifully into wild environment.

21 Many exotic animal species and individuals are threatened by trade

22 Animal mortality Reptile species in trade have natural potential longevities of years. 70% mortality in 6 weeks industry standard at some pet suppliers. 75% mortality reptiles in 1 year in home. 90%+ mortality fish in 1 year in home.

23 BREEDING FACILITIES

24 PET RETAILERS

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26 REPTILE SHOWS

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29 TABLE DISPLAY

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32 SERIOUS OR EXPERT HOBBYIST

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35 REPTILE ZOOS

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38 MOBILE ANIMAL SHOWS & PRESENTATIONS

39 What you see - Lack of Space Undersized / lacks complexity / thermally simplistic / ITB

40 Space restricted by provision

41 Lack of quality space, including complexity and flexibility

42 Poor Environmental Conditions Thermally simplistic

43 Lack of shelter & privacy

44 Photo-invasive environments

45 Overcrowding (overt)

46 (Covert) crypto-overcrowding

47 (Covert) crypto-overcrowding

48 EXAMPLES PUBLIC DISPLAY Undersized / lacks complexity / photoinvasive / no privacy / thermally simplistic

49 Undersized / lacks complexity / thermally simplistic/ photo-invasive / no privacy

50 Undersized / lacks complexity / thermally simplistic/ photo-invasive / no privacy