Love At First Sight

Is there a person who hasn’t visited a zoo, or watched a documentary, and said “Oh, How adorable, how cool, how awesome…I want one!

That would be me! I love giraffes, (and I’m 5’ tall -go figure!! 🙂 ) I love tigers, manatees, lions, leopards, panthers, cheetahs, jaguars, and meerkats.

Would I Really bring one home? Never. That being said- there are those who will- and do.

“Fatal Attractions” is a ‘reality‘ show based on people who do, and pay the ultimate price.

If you have an aversion to ‘reenactments’ or occasionally, actual footage that illustrates encounters by people who have forgotten, discarded or refused the Laws of Nature, this is probably one series you’ll want to avoid.

‘Lions, Tigers and Bears, Oh My’ – is just the beginning.

There is no explaining the animals people ‘adopt’. No holds are barred. If it walks,  slithers, roars, snarls, howls, growls, stings, squeezes, bites, dismembers, or decapitates- it is someone’s pet.

Here in Florida, we have a huge problem with ‘non-native’ species. People buy exotic ‘pets’ and when they outgrow the owners’ ability or capacity to contain, or feed them, they drive to the Everglades or swamp and dump them.

To really understand our problem you can refer to this website:

http://www.bornfreeusa.org/b4a2_exotic_animals_state.php?s=fl#68A-6.002

I don’t know if the heat affects people’s minds, or if they are just unwilling to develop normal relationships, but Floridians- and transplants, seem to feel that if they ‘love’ it, it will ‘love back’ no matter what the ‘nature of the beast’ actually is.

One genius even imported hissing cockroaches: one of the largest species of cockroach, reaching 2–4 inches at maturity. They are from the island of Madagascar off the African coast, where they can be found in rotting logs. They have a lifespan of 5 years in captivity. Anyone who has ever been to Florida knows there is no shortage of cockroaches, however we have politely renamed them ‘Palmetto Bugs’.

Cultures also contribute to animal issues. There is seemingly no limit to types of “religions” and ethnicities who use animals in ‘worship,’ or practices of a more sinister nature. Florida is rife with witch doctors, voodoo practitioners, snake handlers (religious and non-religious), alligator wrestlers- and other odd homosapien/animal beliefs. Carl Hiaasen has several humorous books on the subject. I highly recommend any of them.

Non-native snakes, lizards and monitors are so rampant in the Everglades they are actually affecting native wildlife- even gators! Florida Fish and Wildlife has organized groups of snake wranglers to try to get a grip on the exploding populations. Rarely a week goes by without some creepy story about a non-native animal creating havoc in a neighborhood.

Now, before you shake your head and mutter something about wierd people in Florida, just know We aren’t alone!

Fatal Attractions has chronicled people everywhere who have this skewed outlook. Probably some even live in your state- maybe your neighborhood!

For those of you who refuse to watch television, Animal Planet has conveniently placed the episodes on their website. You can watch your favorites in private, and keep the kids, (and ferrets!) from being exposed to shows they definitely should not see.

Check out: http://animal.discovery.com/videos/fatal-attractions/ (You might not want to watch them alone, however. A strange noise in the house could turn you into a quivering lump of chicken!)

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ADONAI
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I don’t think you should ever take a wild animal as a pet. It’ll never be a “pet”. It’s easier if you get them very young so they form attachments but there’s still danger as they get older. Most wild animals(talking mostly mammals here) don’t recognize a “family structure” when they get older. Instincts and a need for a solitary life will outweigh your best intentions. Not every big cat is the same. Not every Canidae.

I get the attraction though. For some people I think it’s just something for them to show off. I have an affinity for wolves because of what they are. Free. It sucks growing up surrounded by the beauty of nature. Knowing that, as a human, you aren’t part of it anymore. There’s a feeling that this is where you belong but you know you can’t go. You’d never survive. And, if you did, it’d probably be a life of solitude. We aren’t built that way.

That’s why I don’t like the idea of caging wild animals. Even at zoos. It’s not what they are and it never will be. It’s not right to take away their freedom. They don’t belong on our world. Any more than we do in theirs.

Khirad
Member

Any accounts of Javalina ownership?

I’d be laughing my ass off at someone that stupid.

escribacat
Member

Jkk, I have volunteered for the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado — they are packed full of lions and tigers and bears, plus wolves, coati mundi, lynxes, panthers, and other formerly wild critters — every single one of them rescued from captivity. They will tell you there are more tigers in captivity in Texas than there are in the wild.

Last week I got to meet a couple of wolves who were born in captivity. They live at the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Foundation. Their parents were rescued from another “rescue” facility that was abusing the wolves with beatings and duct taping their snouts. (grrr). These wolves were fascinating. Here’s a picture of a volunteer there, playing with his buddy:
[img]http://planetpov.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/man-with-wolf.gif[/img]

And here’s a cool sign they’re planning to sell in future:

[img]http://planetpov.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/wasp.gif[/img]

Khirad
Member

I can understand the coatimundi. They’re way cute. They’re supposed to be around here, but I’ve yet to see one. Not that I think it’s a good idea to have one as a pet, but I can understand it.

escribacat
Member

Yes, they’re like a strange mixture of raccoon and monkey. Very cute.

whatsthatsound
Member

Mirror, Mirror, on the wall…[img]http://planetpov.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/ayeaye2.jpg[/img]

escribacat
Member

What is it?

whatsthatsound
Member

It’s an aye aye, e-cat. A recently discovered mammal considered by some to be the world’s ugliest.

KillgoreTrout
Member

It looks like an alien! (like I know what an alien looks like)

whatsthatsound
Member

It creeps Rosie out!
[img]http://planetpov.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/rosie-scared.jpg[/img]