ABC'S: ANIMAL BEHAVIOR CONCERNS & SOLUTIONS
A Question & Answer Forum For Animal Professionals
Copyright © By Diana Guerrero

All content © by Diana L. Guerrero unless otherwise noted and may not be reprinted without prior written permission. All rights reserved. Contact arkanimals.com for reprint permissions and fees.

Welcome to the ABC's! Animal Behavior Concerns & Solutions is an animal behavior column written by animal behaviorist and animal trainer, Diana L. Guerrero. This section is dedicated to animal training techniques for all animals and pets, and topics related to operant conditioning and reinforcement. This column is about nursery elephant baby behavior and training. For pet training please visit the pet section, see our pet behavior booklets in the shop, or visit our teleseminar section.

Wild Animal Pets

QUESTION
In your last column you talked about an animal held in a privately owned facility. The animal appeared to be held in a private home. Can you comment on why you included it in the column?

ANSWER
The last column created quite a stir. The animal profession is always changing and improving and cannot do so without passionate dialog. It is great to hear from the readership, however it must be reiterated that the columns and articles found within AKF do not reflect the opinions (or endorsement) of the Animal Keepers Forum (AKF) staff or the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK).

Since 1996, this column has discussed animal behavior concerns and solutions from a variety of sources. This is not the first time an inquiry of this type has been included. As columnist for AKF I answer questions related to municipal zoos, private facilities, rescue organizations, educational facilities, circuses, museums, breeders, and other individuals who maintain collections of wild animals.

The inquiries fro ABC'S arrive from all over the world and are submitted by those who are concerned for the welfare of their animals, or of the animals they manage or protect. The variety of submissions reflects the diversity in readership. The questions presented originate from individuals with a multitude of experience levels, concerns, and backgrounds. Many of the inquiries come in, not just from recognized zoos, but also from agencies not affiliated with zoos. AKF provides a valuable resource to these agencies and individuals -- and has done so for years.

My goal and dedication as an animal behaviorist is to help any animal through education, environmental enrichment, and training or behavioral advice. I do not screen out inquiries from the AAZK column, nor do refuse to answer them based on who is submitting. All behavioral situations reveal valuable information that others involved in animal care taking or training can benefit from and that is why they are included.

Today, the issue of captive animals is a volatile one from every angle. There are groups against zoos, against interfering with the natural environment, against pets of any kind, against laboratory animals, etc. Just name the project, or concern, and there probably is a group of people avidly against it! In the case of captive wild animals, the general professional opinion is that they do not make good pets.

Even so, there are many that do have them as pets, and many that breed and sell them for the pet trade, including professional zoo keepers and animal trainers. Personally, I do not condone the private ownership of ANY wild animal by inexperienced individuals (like the general public), however the reality is that they do exist. Having said that, an animal owner labeled as a "professional" does not necessarily mean the animal benefits any more than another creature housed elsewhere. Although there are generally more complications and concerns that stem from individual private ownership, I've worked in a variety of capacities and witnessed the gamut of problems with animals in virtually every type of setting. There are good conditions in both the private and professional realm, and dismal situations on each side of the fence as well.

Although it is not as common for the American general public to own wild animals, they do exist everywhere, and it was not too long ago that wild animals such as birds and reptiles were considered as unusual pets instead of "acceptable." Today, in addition to illegal trade, there are many people and institutions that breed animals, and that participate in animal auctions -- buying wild animals for resale or trade. The industry will continue as long as there is money to be made and animals to sell. The regulations concerning wild animals have been getting tighter and the restrictions have escalated. This tightening is directly due to much of the abuse that occurs when wild animals or hybrids are taken as pets by the layperson, but that is only a fraction of the problem.

Having said that, let me point out that wild animals do not make good pets because they are creatures that have evolved within a specific niche in nature and have special physiological and psychological adaptations to insure that survival. Most people cannot provide the intensive care these creatures need, nor are they prepared for the long-term and comprehensive maintenance they require.

Additional reasons are that wild critters have specialized nutritional, social, and activity needs, are adapted to a particular type of environment, and are extremely agile and powerful. Wildlife will still maintain territorial structures or hierarchies, and engage in sexual or aggressive behavior that can be risky to those unfamiliar with those behaviors and patterns.

Capricious breeding, irresponsible behavior, impact on the habitat of local wildlife are further concerns. Others include the complicated interference on local wildlife populations if non-native animals are released or escape by accident. The risk of zoonotic diseases or parasites is yet another worry for both humans and other animals.

The quality of captive wildlife management and ownership will continue to be a concern to those involved with animals and their conservation. If we are going to move forward to benefit our charges, and those housed elsewhere, it is going to be necessary to move constructively from the disturbing "us" and "them" attitude prevalent. Yes, there are problems. Most professionals are concerned about them and working to alleviate them. As part of the solution, I am happy to help those who need it. Finally, I also recommend the animal daily minimum requirements for those housing any type of animal:

ANIMAL DAILY MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
· mental activity
· physical activity
· companionship
· adequate and regular veterinary care
· appropriate nourishment or nutrition
· daily assessment and quality management
· a suitable, safe, secure, clean and comfortable environment

Are you a reader with a question? Be sure to submit it--and good luck in all your training endeavors!

About the columnist: Since 1978 Diana L. Guerrero has worked professionally with both wild and domestic animals. Guerrero has been affiliated with and certified by a variety of animal programs in the USA and Europe. Based in California, she writes, consults, and leads safaris. Information on her animal career programs, training courses, and her books, What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality (SkyLight Paths, 2003), Blessing of the Animals (Sterling, 2007), Help! My Pet is Driving Me Crazy (Guerrero Ink, 2007), Animal Disaster Preparedness for Pet Owners & Pet Professionals (Guerrero Ink, 2007) are available through this web site. Questions for ABC's should be submitted to Diana directly through the ABC's zoo questionnaire on this web site, or contact her now.