Wild animals should not be pets - readers
28 July 2010, 18:23
By Ainsley Daniels
The escape of Pango the tiger in Springs has sparked debate about whether South Africans should be allowed to keep wild animals as
We asked our readers: "Should wild animals be kept as pets?"
Of the 1 065 people who participated in the poll; 90 percent (962 votes) said "No" and 10 percent (103 votes) said "Yes"
Here are some of the comments:
Mark Wainwright
Definately not. I do, however, have no problem with wild animals being rehabilitated, especially if the problem was caused by man. Eg. a mother cheetha, raising cubs, destroyed by a farmer. The cubs have no chance of survival in the wild. A rehabilitation centre takes them on and they become tame. I have no time for zoos or any other people who keep wild animals as pets.
Maggie T
NO! Under no circumstances should wild animals be kept as pets. One must remember that it has an inherent killer instinct which by now, because it's hungry, lost and confused, will have been brought to the fore, and this could be dangerous for any animal or human it may encounter at this stage. It's just plain irresponsible to hand-rear such a majestic animal and turn it into a kitten. There are enough domestic animals which could be adopted from shelters which need homes - why a tiger?
Sue K
Its not natural.Humans are selfish in their desires.My kittens were rescued from life on the street, but cats are domestic creatures for millions of years.They need humans.Wild animals dont unless it is in a sanctuary.
Lovelife
NO, don't keep wild animals. I can't imagine it's fun or normal for them to be kept in a backyard in the company of humans. Pets are domesticated remember, and are no longer able to hunt for their food.
Mkhonto
a wild animal will always be wild, no matter how u think y have tamed it. I wonder what will happen if the tiger(that escaped) had to bite rural children coming from school or playing in the veld. I think the SPCA should institute legal action against the tigers family for they were negligent..Ngyabonga mina!!
Avner Elihayu Romm
People should have the right to have wild animals as pets, if they look after them and feed them. Just like people should have the right and duty to look after and feed their children, who sometimes turn into wild "human beings".
Flee
Although I can not agree with someone having an animal of this nature as a pet, if he is being used as a breeding tiger then I would say yes. Tigers are on the endangered list and there are very few successful breading pairs in captivity. Unfortunately domesticating them does make the whole process of veterinary care, feeding and breading a lot easier. I hope he is found and returned safely... He really is a beaut...
Marnic
The owner was interviewed on 702 and said that they had the tiger since it was two weeks old, but asked where they got it from, she said she can't discuss it as they haven't got the permit yet for keeping it! This animal is now 17 months old. Furthermore, to transport it on the back of a bakkie is ludicrous. These people are obviously not equipped to take care of wild animals and they should be prosecuted.
The escape of Pango the tiger in Springs has sparked debate about whether South Africans should be allowed to keep wild animals as
We asked our readers: "Should wild animals be kept as pets?"
Of the 1 065 people who participated in the poll; 90 percent (962 votes) said "No" and 10 percent (103 votes) said "Yes"
Here are some of the comments:
Mark Wainwright
Definately not. I do, however, have no problem with wild animals being rehabilitated, especially if the problem was caused by man. Eg. a mother cheetha, raising cubs, destroyed by a farmer. The cubs have no chance of survival in the wild. A rehabilitation centre takes them on and they become tame. I have no time for zoos or any other people who keep wild animals as pets.
Maggie T
NO! Under no circumstances should wild animals be kept as pets. One must remember that it has an inherent killer instinct which by now, because it's hungry, lost and confused, will have been brought to the fore, and this could be dangerous for any animal or human it may encounter at this stage. It's just plain irresponsible to hand-rear such a majestic animal and turn it into a kitten. There are enough domestic animals which could be adopted from shelters which need homes - why a tiger?
Sue K
Its not natural.Humans are selfish in their desires.My kittens were rescued from life on the street, but cats are domestic creatures for millions of years.They need humans.Wild animals dont unless it is in a sanctuary.
Lovelife
NO, don't keep wild animals. I can't imagine it's fun or normal for them to be kept in a backyard in the company of humans. Pets are domesticated remember, and are no longer able to hunt for their food.
Mkhonto
a wild animal will always be wild, no matter how u think y have tamed it. I wonder what will happen if the tiger(that escaped) had to bite rural children coming from school or playing in the veld. I think the SPCA should institute legal action against the tigers family for they were negligent..Ngyabonga mina!!
Avner Elihayu Romm
People should have the right to have wild animals as pets, if they look after them and feed them. Just like people should have the right and duty to look after and feed their children, who sometimes turn into wild "human beings".
Flee
Although I can not agree with someone having an animal of this nature as a pet, if he is being used as a breeding tiger then I would say yes. Tigers are on the endangered list and there are very few successful breading pairs in captivity. Unfortunately domesticating them does make the whole process of veterinary care, feeding and breading a lot easier. I hope he is found and returned safely... He really is a beaut...
Marnic
The owner was interviewed on 702 and said that they had the tiger since it was two weeks old, but asked where they got it from, she said she can't discuss it as they haven't got the permit yet for keeping it! This animal is now 17 months old. Furthermore, to transport it on the back of a bakkie is ludicrous. These people are obviously not equipped to take care of wild animals and they should be prosecuted.
Johannesburg
