An issue that has been debated and fought over for years now is the question “Should we allow people to have wild animals as pets”. It’s very important to define what a “wild” animal is, because this definition can be very controversial to many people. Any animal, no matter if you domesticate it or not, should be considered a wild animal.

One area of entertainment where this issue was been a predominant problem, is in Zoo’s. If you go to a Zoo, every animal there is from the wild in one form or another. There have protests and objections to the practice of Zoo’s, but they are still here today. Why is this you may ask? Many Zoo’s take into captivity, animals who have been left behind by their mothers, animals with defects and the list goes on. This is one of the most retaliated points among this dispute and has allowed Zoo’s to continue on in their field of entertainment.

Many people debating this issue, believe that it is ok to have wild animals even as close to in our homes, as long as the animals are still babies. When the animals get of age to the point where they have developed the capability to cause harm to a family members, they should be released into the wild and that is a safe and efficient way to handle this. I think anyone reading this could agree that this idea is not only ridiculous sounding, but absolutely unjust to the animals. When an animal such as a tiger is born into the wild, it is taught from the first day they’re born crucial instinctual skills and performance skills that can only be learned in their true and natural habitat. Taking this away is not only lessening he chance of survival among the ENTIRE species itself, but also setting them up to be killed if they are to be released one day into the wild.

A film I have seen recently seen and partially inspired to write this blog post is named Grizzly Man. At the beginning of this film it shows multiple footage of Timothy Treadwell and his girlfriend at the time, interacting with wild bears. Treadwell was a fiercely passionate bear activist and believed that he could live and interact among the bears and it was acceptable. I don’t want to spoil the ending but this film conveys a message that human interaction with any wild animals is not necessarily natural and we should leave the wild in their habitat. This film is truly a gem of its kind as it not only shows interaction with wild bears and this bear activist by the name of Timothy Treadwell, but the message is telling people everywhere that wild instincts will take over any animal, no matter how well “trained” you might think they are.

Sources:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427312/

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/10/10/1412903539129_wps_24_Subject_Tippi_Hedren_in_a.jpg

http://www.watchdocumentary.tv/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/grizzlyman1-265×250.jpg

http://www.livescience.com/33870-domesticated-animals-criteria.html