Exotic is Neurotic

Did you hear about the exotic animal disaster in Ohio (near Zanesville)?  Here's the short spiel:  some guy decided  to operate an animal "preserve".  Had it for years.  I'll be mean - the guy looked like he couldn't spell "preserve".  He had been in prison on a weapons charge and had charges of animal abuse
(!?) made against him.   This guy had big cats, bears, wolves and primates, well over 50 animals (around 70).    A few days ago, he snapped, opened all the cages, the animals escaped and he shot himself.
Now clearly, all of the above animals are not native to Ohio and the local law enforcement is not and was not equipped to handle such animals.  So, they were all - save for about 8 - shot and killed.
Why bring this up?  Because it's worth considering what the "take-away" from this tragedy should be:
Normal, every day people should not own exotic animals.  More often than not, they are ill-equipped, intellectually, emotionally and financially, to handle such animals.  Some do it for showmanship, some for control, some because they love the animals.   On this note, let me say...Love is not enough.  It takes LOTS of education, money, time and more education, to care for wild exotic animals. These animals do not do well living in something the size of your kids' bedroom - and that's being optimistic.  Many of these animals live in cages that are about the size of a dog kennel.  The price of a well-planned, adequate space for big cats cost about $2-3 million dollars.  No kidding.   Keeping these animals in such small spaces with no mental stimulation or adequate exercise is cruel.  Most of us have absolutely NO IDEA how to care for an exotic pet.
So what can you and I do?  Read on....

• Do not own an exotic pet:  no cute little monkeys, no tiger cubs, bear cubs, etc.  Unless you are a zoologist, biologist, animal care expert, you will be sorry.  Once any of these animals hit sexual maturity you will be more than very sorry.
• Do not support (i.e.: visit) any "preserve" or "reserve" or "sanctuary" that did not come highly recommended and has been sanctioned by a reputable organization.
• Support charities that fight to end the exotic pet trade (www.bornfreeusa.org  & www.humanesociety.org
• Spread the word and tell your friends and educate your kids.

We can all help to make this world a better place, for humans and animals alike.