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1. To discuss exotic animals and examine the effects of captivity.

2. To explain the role state wildlife management agencies play in protecting exotic animals and their habitats.

3. To analyze state, national and international laws concerning exotic animals and captivity.

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• Are animals of foreign origin which have been introduced, but not fully naturalized or acclimatized, to a new environment

• Include the following in the United States:– black panthers– grey parrots– bearded dragons– flying squirrels

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acclimate – to become accustomed to a new environment

• Results in stereotypies

• May lead to death and mistreatment of animals

• Promotes the spreading of diseases among animals as well as humans

• Halts the reproduction of many animals

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• Are abnormal, repetitive and functionless behaviors which appear in captive and domesticated animals

• Are rarely seen in wild animals and therefore are considered indicators of stress

• Are often considered indicators of poor welfare

• Develop in response to frustration, boredom, physical restraint or limitation of space

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welfare – the health, happiness and well-

being of an animal

• Include the following:

– persistent pacing

– head bobbing

– biting bars on cage

– plucking own feathers

– picking at their skin, causing sores and bleeding

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• Include the following:

– constant pacing

– frequent sleeping

– often grooming

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Fun Fact: Of the eight subspecies

of tigers which once lived, only five remain

today.

• Include the following:

– licking nonfood items

– chewing when no food is present

– continuous pacing

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Fun Fact: A giraffe’s tongue is black and measures 18 to 20 inches long.

• Include the following:

– body and trunk swaying

– head nodding

– aimlessly stepping forward and backward

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Fun Fact: The

largest elephant

ever recorded weighed 26,400 pounds.

• Occurs frequently when exotic animals are captured to be sold

• Is common in circuses and pet stores• Leads to numerous deaths of exotic

animals annually• Includes abandoning animals after they

mature

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• Often harms the environment from which they are obtained

• Leads to smuggling animals into the country for the purpose of sale– smuggling parrots involves clipping wings,

taping beaks closed and shoving into tires or carry on luggage

– 80% die in the process

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• May keep animals’ feet chained together to limit movement and prevent escape

• May cage or chain animals up to 90% of the time when not performing

• Often transport animals in unheated, poorly ventilated and closely confined vehicles or trailers

• Sometimes use inhumane training methods including beating animals with bats, using electrical shock therapy or burning specific parts of the body used in an act, such as feet

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• Are sometimes responsible for mistreating animals due to dual responsibilities of animal care and making a profit

• Receive shipments of exotic animals from long distances, sometimes allowing the animals to become harmed in the process

• Are not always equipped to provide the environment or medical attention exotic animals need, leading to development of stereotypies and spreading of diseases

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• Has become more and more popular despite being illegal in many states

• Is dangerous for animals as people who purchase for pets usually do not have the money, resources or dedication to simulate environment and care for properly

• Can be dangerous for humans due to risk of attack from animals

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• Are brought over with exotic animals when they are captured and sent to retailers

• Often go untreated as veterinarians specializing in exotic animals can be expensive

• Spread quickly among animals in zoos and pet stores because of close captivity, especially when new animals are introduced to the environment

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• Is rare and does not occur naturally in captive exotic animals

• Sometimes involves taking animals to normal environments to be successful

• Can lead to parents neglecting and not caring for offspring in captivity

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• Include establishing agencies to monitor and control wildlife, including exotic animals

• Involving the private ownership of exotic animals vary in each state and in their severity

• Can be bypassed through the possession of a United States Department of Agriculture permit for animal breeders and exhibitors

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• Manage fish and wildlife resources for long term well-being as well as the benefit of the public

• Enforce all state and national laws pertaining to fish, wildlife, boating and boating safety

• Perform search and rescues

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• Programs and responsibilities include the following:– fish and wildlife research– hunting and game management– habitat and species conservation– fisheries management– recreation services– licensing and permitting– hunter education– enforcing hunting and fishing seasons – enforcing bag limits

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• At the state level occurs at different severities:

– full ban

– partial ban

– license or permit holder

– no requirements or state legislation

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• Prohibits the private ownership of exotic animals

• Covers animals such as large cats, wolves, bears, reptiles and most nonhuman primates

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• Allow the private ownership of some exotic animals while prohibiting the ownership of others

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• Requires legal permission from the appropriate state agency to privately own an exotic animal

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• May mean there is not a ban or licensing obligation in order to own exotic animals, though an entry permit or veterinary certificate may still be needed

• May mean there is no state legislation concerning exotic animals

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• Pertaining to exotic animals include the following:– Animal Welfare Act– Wild Bird Conservation Act– Endangered Species Act– Lacey Act

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• States all persons operating an exotic animal auction must obtain the proper licensing

• Maintains animals put on display, such as zoos, must be provided with adequate care and treatment in the areas of housing, handling, nutrition, water and veterinary care

• Establishes minimum guidelines for the care of exotic animals and expects organizations to exceed these standards

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• Helps fight the population threat of non-indigenous birds to the United States

• Prohibits importing certain exotic birds, including most breeds of parrots, macaws and cockatoos

• Responds to the fact the United States is the number one international importer of exotic birds

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• Protects many animals which are considered exotic

• Provides protection for many animals and habitats to ensure they do not become extinct

• Prohibits the import, export, interstate or foreign commerce of any animal listed in the act

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• Outlaws the trade of any fish or wild animals which were taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of any treaty, law or regulation of the United States

• Provides animals taken in violation of this Act are confiscated

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• Has not been accomplished on a global level yet, though organizations such as the World Society for the Protection of Animals are campaigning for the United Nations to adopt such legislation

• Inspired the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international governmental agreement ensuring the trade of plants and wildlife does not threaten their survival

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1. _______ is the act of becoming accustomed to a new environment.

2. _______ are abnormal, repetitive and functionless behaviors which appear in captive and domesticated animals.

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3. What percentage of parrots die when being smuggled into the United States?

4. The _______ establishes all operators of exotic animal auctions must obtain proper licensing.

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5. America is the number _____ international importer of exotic birds.

a. one

b. two

c. three

d. four

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6. Diseases among exotic animals

a. spread easily among animals in zoos

b. are often present when exotic animals ship to retailers

c. largely go untreated

d. all of the above

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7. State wildlife management agencies are not responsible for hunter education.

a. true

b. false

8. Pet stores are always equipped to provide the medical attention exotic animals need.

a. true

b. false35

9. Reproduction is rare and does not occur naturally in captive exotic animals.

a. true

b. false

10.Animals at the zoo behave the same as if they were in the wild.

a. true

b. false

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• (1999-2008). Retrieved October 9, 2008, from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: http://myfwc.com/

• (2003-2008). Retrieved October 9, 2008, from Born Free USA: http://www.api4animals.org/index.php

• (2008). Retrieved October 9, 2008, from The Humane Society of the United States: http://www.hsus.org/

• Exotic Animals and the Use of Animals in Entertainment. (2008). Retrieved October 9, 2008, from Ottawa Humane Society: http://www.ottawahumane.ca/exotic.htm

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Project Coordinator:

Meghan Blanek Production Manager:

Dusty Moore

Executive Producers:

Gordon Davis, Ph.D.,

Jeff Lansdell

Production Coordinator:

Brandon O’Quinn

Graphic Designer:

Ann Adams

© MMIXCEV Multimedia, Ltd.

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