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In 2022, the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (or AZA, for short) released an article for their ongoing campaign, called “Not A Pet.” It is a collaboration with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) with the aim of raising awareness for the illegal wildlife trade and the difficulties of owning exotic animals as pets.
It may seem fine and dandy at first. Wildlife trafficking is an evil that must be condemned, after all. Not only is this harmful for the environment, but it is often abusive to animals who are at the mercy of smugglers and illegal wildlife markets. You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who agrees or supports this.
So why is AZA’s “Not a Pet” campaign in trouble?
Not A Pet?
The first and most important issue you will see is the contradiction in the very name of the campaign — Not a Pet. Animals labeled by the AZA as non-pets include, but are not limited to:
- iguanas
- Saltwater fish
- Corals
- Turtles
- Parrots
These animals are definitely pets, and quite common. And while others listed, such as fennec foxes and servals, are less common, they can be and be successfully kept as pets all the same.
But for the average person, a turtle or parrot is a more normal and familiar species to own —so the fact that the world’s largest private zoological organization declares them not pets should worry you.
AZA continues by saying the following, from Sara Walker, AZA’s senior advisor on wildlife trafficking:
“The messaging is not, ‘don’t buy an exotic pet.’ The messaging will be ‘notified about exotic pets.’”
But it couldn’t be more disingenuous when the campaign is literally named “NOT A PET.” Few attempts have been made to prevent this campaign from being negative, and it is clear to anyone with a critical eye that the AZA does not like people who own any exotic animals, and does not support those people. Claiming others and lying to our faces is an insult to the intelligence of pet owners.
Animals of the Winnebago
The Not-So-Illegal Wildlife Trade
Continuing with the factual claims made in this article, a key issue is the lack of distinction between the illegal wildlife trade and the perfectly legal trade of captive-bred exotic animals.
Almost all of the species listed by the AZA in the main article of the Not A Pet campaign are commonly bred in captivity, with the exception of some reptiles such as green iguanas, which are an invasive species often caught in Florida.
If you find someone who owns a fennec fox, scarlet macaw, sugar glider, or other species here in the US, there is a good chance that the animal was born and raised in the United States, from a licensed breeder and pedigree of the animals. which has been captive raised for many generations.
In fact, the law requires sellers and breeders of exotic mammals to be licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to avoid the very issue of trafficking. These animals were not smuggled in from the wild, and neither were their parents, or even their grandparents.
And while many species of reptiles, corals, and fish are still caught by the thousands in the wild and imported from their natural habitats, it’s unfair to collectively judge these issues or suggest they’re the same for everyone. of species.
Creating Your Own Problems
Perhaps the most confusing part of the “Not A Pet” campaign and the AZA as a whole are the misguided attempts to educate people against wanting exotic animals as pets, while at best people ignore them, and the worst is that people only do what they like. more. Brooke Tully, a behavior change consultant who did research in 2019 for IFAW, said:
“Although there are many reasons for the increase in exotic pet ownership, the photos and videos of them scattered all over social media undoubtedly play a large role. In addition, “anything in entertainment field feeds it. For example, the hit show Tiger King may have turned some people off to owning a tiger — but may have also encouraged others.”
People have always had a fascination with animals, and in our modern age seeing them up close at the zoo is easier than ever and accessible to everyone.
Not only that, but we’re constantly bombarded with photos and videos of people interacting with said exotic animals — despite what the AZA would have you believe, many of them on social media are from zoos that they recognize or private facilities, sanctuaries, and organizations with “licensed professionals” who handle, cuddle, play with, and even walk animal ambassadors on leashes; some of these are large predators such as wolves and cheetahs.
Doesn’t this encourage people to think favorably about interacting with these animals? Don’t these videos and practices also help normalize the idea that exotic animals can be tame and friendly, or even spark curiosity about what it would be like to own one?
If you’re really trying to convince people that these animals are terrible pets, and you don’t want to normalize the concept from social media, then maybe parading them on leashes isn’t the right thing to do as animal ambassadors.
At the end of the day, it’s clear that the “Not A Pet” campaign is just another attempt by the AZA to discredit queer pet owners and use them as a scapegoat for issues that are much more complex than the media makes them out to be. . be.
Whether you own a snake, lizard, bird, or exotic mammal, you should be concerned about the outrage shown at your existence by the largest, most profitable, and most influential zoological organization that certainly does not consider that your animal is a pet.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not intended to replace diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals showing signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
