Wild animal babies are so cute and appealing - its very tempting to want to take them into your home and heart but, in reality, that's a horrible idea. Wild animals are just that - wild. They have adapted to wild ways and free living over many years of adapting to that environment. Many who are brought into a domestic setting are very uncomfortable in their surroundings and become vicious, very sick or even die. Many carry diseases that are very harmful to humans as well. To keep the animal from being able to hurt people, they themselves are harmed, declawed or defanged leaving them defenseless, not the way that they were intended to be.
Unfortunately, because of poachers, predators and habitat loss, some animals have very little chance in the wild. In that case, the best option is to let a sanctuary or wildlife rehabilitation program take them in. I am always torn about the subject of zoos but in most cases zoos are well run and protective of their animals. I am proud of the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park and its international outreach for animal safety and rehabilitation and they work with many other wonderful wildlife organizations as well.
Why am I thinking of this subject right now? I just saw a YouTube post about an adorable looking Slow Loris with big beautiful eyes. On the post they were showing how sweet and friendly it would be as a pet. It looked so loving as it raised it's arms as if reaching for affection. But the post did not reveal the real "behind the scenes" story. What the Slow Loris is actually doing is an aggressive, self defense move as this is how the animal protects itself with a toxin in an underarm gland. When it licks the toxin and mixes it with saliva, its bite becomes very poisonous. To contradict this, the pet seller will cut or pull the teeth to prevent the bite. How cruel!
What work is being done to save this endangered animal and what can we do? The International Animal Rescue organization (http://www.internationalanimalrescue.org) has a beautiful primate rescue in the center of the rainforest on the island of Java where they rescue and rehabilitate the Slow Loris. It is the only one in Indonesia devoted to the purpose. The organization also has a website to raise awareness of the plight of the Slow Loris which is http://www.ticklingistorture.org. Visit both of the sites, contribute if you can and do not support or even like the videos promoting the pet trade of these small, delicate animals.
Unfortunately, because of poachers, predators and habitat loss, some animals have very little chance in the wild. In that case, the best option is to let a sanctuary or wildlife rehabilitation program take them in. I am always torn about the subject of zoos but in most cases zoos are well run and protective of their animals. I am proud of the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park and its international outreach for animal safety and rehabilitation and they work with many other wonderful wildlife organizations as well.
Why am I thinking of this subject right now? I just saw a YouTube post about an adorable looking Slow Loris with big beautiful eyes. On the post they were showing how sweet and friendly it would be as a pet. It looked so loving as it raised it's arms as if reaching for affection. But the post did not reveal the real "behind the scenes" story. What the Slow Loris is actually doing is an aggressive, self defense move as this is how the animal protects itself with a toxin in an underarm gland. When it licks the toxin and mixes it with saliva, its bite becomes very poisonous. To contradict this, the pet seller will cut or pull the teeth to prevent the bite. How cruel!
What work is being done to save this endangered animal and what can we do? The International Animal Rescue organization (http://www.internationalanimalrescue.org) has a beautiful primate rescue in the center of the rainforest on the island of Java where they rescue and rehabilitate the Slow Loris. It is the only one in Indonesia devoted to the purpose. The organization also has a website to raise awareness of the plight of the Slow Loris which is http://www.ticklingistorture.org. Visit both of the sites, contribute if you can and do not support or even like the videos promoting the pet trade of these small, delicate animals.
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