Experts Concern As More Than 2,000 Wild Animals Lives In Domestic Setting In UK

New data shows that there are almost 2,700 privately held wild animals that are considered dangerous in the United Kingdom.

The Born Free Foundation, a wildlife charity, has called for a "matter of urgency" revision of current legislation governing the keeping of dangerous animals.

Alarming Findings

According to figures studied by the charity through freedom of information requests to councils, the Dangerous Wild Animals Act of 1976 allows for the private ownership of 2,727 exotic animals.

More than 200 wild cats and 250 primates were covered by the 126 municipal authorities that claimed to have issued licenses.

There were also over 400 dangerous snakes, which the group believes is ten times the number housed in zoos.

Dr. Mark Jones, a vet and Born Free's head of policy, expressed alarm about the findings, noting that while some animals were maintained in groups on farms, the majority were kept in more modest conditions.

"Increasing demand for and trade in all kinds of wild animals as exotic pets, puts owners and the wider public at risk of injury or disease. It also results in serious animal suffering, and the demand increases the pressure on many wild populations which are often already under threat," he added.

From cheetahs in Cheshire to caiman crocodiles in Kent, they discovered that unusual and deadly species may be found in practically any part of the UK.

The data revealed that dangerous wild animals were licensed in every region of England, Wales, and Scotland.

The southeast of England had the deadliest wild creatures. It had the most primates, crocodiles, and dangerous snakes.

The East of England had the wildest cats, with licenses allowing for over 60 cats, including many leopards, cheetahs, and lynx.

The popularity of having small wild cats was particularly concerning: 53 serval cats and 43 hybrid cats were recorded, making them the most permitted species on the list.

The number of lemurs acquired with these licenses climbed from 151 in 2020 to 175 last year.

Under Review

Tufton Beamish stated during the passage of the 1976 statute via the House of Lords that the bill's overall policy was obvious: "It is that in the future, the keeping of dangerous wild animals by private individuals should be made a wholly exceptional circumstance."

Jones claimed that the quantity of wild animals housed in private spaces demonstrated that the act was no longer suitable for purpose.

He said that in order to obtain a license, one must first apply to the local authority, which will then check the premises, however, it's concerning the experts that it's too easy for people to get their licenses for these animals.

The Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs stated that anyone intending to retain an animal under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act must be vetted and apply for a license that specifies the animal's care requirements.

"We keep this legislation under regular review to ensure it remains effective in keeping the public safe. We have also increased the maximum prison sentence for animal cruelty to five years, as well as bringing forward legislation to prohibit primates being kept as domestic pets," the department said.