Britain’s tiger kings

[TeaLovingDave]

For example, one of the reasons why the North American raccoon has established itself in Central and Southern Europe was partly due to it being kept in private collections as a pet (along of course with fur farms).

Pretty much entirely fur farms I believe - with little to no input from escapee pets..... which is one reason it's frankly ridiculous they are now banned in zoos and private collections within Europe, but fur farms retain an exemption

there are also believed to be small populations living in the wild.

There were in any case - the coati breeding population in Cumbria (a zoo escape) died off around 2010 after about a decade, when a harsh winter killed off the last stragglers. Ironically there have only really been big problems with feral individuals of the species since the ban - much as occurred with other species, there have been cases of animals being dumped in the wild.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Pretty much entirely fur farms I believe - with little to no input from escapee pets..... which is one reason it's frankly ridiculous they are now banned in zoos and private collections within Europe, but fur farms retain an exemption



There were in any case - the coati breeding population in Cumbria (a zoo escape) died off around 2010 after about a decade, when a harsh winter killed off the last stragglers. Ironically there have only really been big problems with feral individuals of the species since the ban - much as occurred with other species, there have been cases of animals being dumped in the wild.

Yes, agreed that the ban on these animals within zoos is quite ridiculous and that the ban of these as pets may have led to animals being released into the wild by irresponsible owners.

Also agreed that it was mostly escapees from fur farms of racoon dogs and racoons in Central and Eastern Europe but with the latter I think at least some of these would have been escaped pets.

However, look at Southern Europe and Spain in particular where there are raccoons now colonizing the central region of the country around Madrid and the Sierra de Guadarrama where there are important populations of birds, amphibians, reptiles and small mammals.

When I was living / working in Spain in this region there were concerns by biologists about the colonization of raccoons and skunks (another escapee pet).

Here are some quotes from a paper "Recent invasion and status of the raccoon (Procyon lotor) in Spain":

"The species was reported in 28 localities, mostly consisting of sporadic observations of single individuals. In central Spain an apparently thriving population of raccoons has been recently discovered. Our data confirmed the spread of feral raccoons throughout this region, where the species has already colonized about 100 km of streams and rivers. Predation on local fauna was also proved, and the first approximation for spatial movement and habitat use analyses in Spain is presented. Our results suggest that deliberate releases of raccoons by pet owners are an important cause for the existence of feral raccoons in Spain."

"A large number of adult raccoons and cubs were found near Madrid (Barona and Garcı´a-Roma´n 2005), Barcelona and Valencia, which could be indicative of extensive releases from pet owners in such densely populated cities. Raccoon sightings were most frequent in central Spain, where the species successfully reproduces and has already colonized about 100 km of riverbanks (Fig. 1b). Its distribution range in that region includes the original locality where the species was sighted for the first time (Velilla de San Antonio, Madrid), the Henares river to the north (up to the city of Guadalajara) and the Jarama river to the south (to the city of Aranjuez, ca. 50 km south from Madrid) close to the Tajo river. According to capture records and radio-tagging data, raccoons at PRS occurred mainly close to rivers, which seem to be acting as corridors for raccoon dispersal outside the PRS (both northwards and southwards)."

Furthermore, this may be further afield but look at what happened in Japan with the escape and release of pet raccoons and the ecological damage that these invasives are doing within the country.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

but with the latter I think at least some of these would have been escaped pets.

Not particularly - the wild population of racoons in central and eastern Europe is very much the result of escapes from fur farms during WWII, when these farms were either abandoned or destroyed during the war, with populations breeding and expanding in subsequent decades. Any escapes from private collections in recent years are pretty insignificant in comparison.

As far as I know, skunks have not managed to establish any self-sustaining populations in Europe; for some reason the species doesn't seem to thrive in the wild here, unlike the aforementioned raccoon and/or raccoon dog.

Of course, the two most damaging introduced mammal species over here aren't carnivores at all, but rodents - copyu and eastern grey squirrel.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Not particularly - the wild population of racoons in central and eastern Europe is very much the result of escapes from fur farms during WWII, when these farms were either abandoned or destroyed during the war, with populations breeding and expanding in subsequent decades. Any escapes from private collections in recent years are pretty insignificant in comparison.

As far as I know, skunks have not managed to establish any self-sustaining populations in Europe; for some reason the species doesn't seem to thrive in the wild here, unlike the aforementioned raccoon and/or raccoon dog.

Of course, the two most damaging introduced mammal species over here aren't carnivores at all, but rodents - copyu and eastern grey squirrel.

Ok , yes, agreed with most of what you've said but the fact that racoons have been and are being established as an invasive species in new areas of Europe as a result of escapees or releases from the pet trade remains.

This is a quote from a paper in the journal "Biological Conservation" titled "Is the raccoon (Procyon lotor) out of control in Europe?" from a couple of years back regarding role of pet trade in racoon introduction as invasive species:

"Raccoons have been introduced in Europe since the late 1920s but raccoon population growth and range expansion rates have been increasing since 1970s after a lag period. In addition, recent introductions through the pet trade have resulted in the establishment of new feral raccoon populations. Therefore, the raccoon spatial distribution is a result of multiple introductions and range expansion from the primary raccoon populations in central and eastern Europe over the last 40 years."

"First individuals escaped from fur farms or were released for hunting. Nowadays, the pet trade is the major introduction pathway. Raccoons have adapted to diferent environments, even urban and residential areas. In central Europe, the raccoon population has increased by over 300% and grows at exponential rates since the 1990s."

Additional quotes on the need for legislation surrounding the private ownership of these species:

"The most efficient management strategy for the raccoon is prevention through legislation on pet trade, education and awareness campaigns about biological invasions (Tollington et al. 2016). The raccoon and other potential carnivore invaders, such as the raccoon dog or the coati (Nasua nasua), are still imported and traded as pets in some European countries (Lehtiniemi 2016; Pergl et al. 2016)."

"In conclusion, the raccoon is out of control in Europe because of high population growth rate, range expansion and new introductions, and no efcient management strategy. The raccoon is already listed as an invasive species in most European countries (Table 1) and may be considered to be a new species for the European fauna, hence long-term management strategies must be implemented at the international level (Regulation EU No. 1143/2014; Tollington et al. 2016)."

 

[Dassie rat]

Of course, the two most damaging introduced mammal species over here aren't carnivores at all, but rodents - copyu and eastern grey squirrel.

You forgot the house mouse, brown rat and black rat. The coypu and muskrat were elimnated from the UK.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

You forgot the house mouse, brown rat and black rat.

I didn't - these, unlike species discussed above, were not the result of recent furtrade and/or private collection escapees.

The coypu and muskrat were elimnated from the UK.

But not from Europe as a whole, which is what was being discussed although I have my doubts that the coypu *is* 100% gone here....

 

[Benosaurus]

Sponsored by Born Free so far

 

[littleRedPanda]

I thought I read that this prat was an experienced zoo keeper, but seems not. Spoilt brat with his mum comparing them to dogs and what mum would let someone take their son's dogs away!?

 

[Benosaurus]

"I like hyenas"

Selfish selfish selfish.

 

[littleRedPanda]

So he goes to see 3 private owners of wild animals and concludes from that alone that there is no conservational or educational value to ANY animals in captivity? I think he held the view already and used these brief experiences to justify his beliefs (as pipaluk predicted I suppose)

 

[banham.tiger]

Can we talk about the fact he entered the enclosure with the lion!! The trap doors between him and the lions seemed very flimsy, accident waiting to happen. Although I suppose theres no need for them if he just enters!!!!

 

[HoneyDontBadger]

The guy Reece (big Mummy’s boy) was the most shocking. Literally thought of them as per dogs....

The scrap metal guy, to be fair, had a decent set up and the enclosures looked good, animals healthy and good shiny coats etc

I detest the the use of animals in adverts and TV so that idiot can do one; and the Circus guy needs a clump.....

HDB

 

[rhinofan12]

Awful program
Awful presenter
Awful message being sent out
No good will come of that and certainly won't bother with the 2nd episode.

 

[Rajang21]

I detest the the use of animals in adverts and TV so that idiot can do one

Obviously you are well within your rights to say this, and there is a debate to be had about ‘animal actors,’ but it is worth noting that Heythrop (assuming that’s who you mean, I didn’t watch) use exemplary training practices and protocols.

 

[Embu]

The main issue here (as was highlighted by Ross) is about how easy it is to obtain a licence to keep these wild animals, This seriously needs looking at and updating.

I found Reece with the pair of lions the worst, otherwise the rest do seem to be an OK setup.
Just for the record I don't agree with keeping wild animals as "pets" ie; large reptiles and big cats.

 

[Benosaurus]

The programme did get across several good points:

• Animals in circuses is wrong.
• Reece Oliver (the jockey) and Andrew Riddel (the owner of Wolds Wildlife Park) viewing lions/tigers/hyenas primarily as domestic pets to satisfy their own emotional needs without thinking about the animals' welfare is wrong.
• Heythrop 'zoo' training animals to do unnecessary tasks that are of no benefit, and possibly detrimental physically and psychologically, to the animal all for the entertainment of humans (i.e. exactly like a circus) is wrong.

However, what the programme, i.e. Ross Kemp, failed to recognise is the existence of proper zoos and wildlife parks and how they are completely different to the ethos of the three bullet points above.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

The programme did get across several good points:

• Animals in circuses is wrong.
• Reece Oliver (the jockey) and Andrew Riddel (the owner of Wolds Wildlife Park) viewing lions/tigers/hyenas primarily as domestic pets to satisfy their own emotional needs without thinking about the animals' welfare is wrong.
• Heythrop 'zoo' training animals to do unnecessary tasks that are of no benefit, and possibly detrimental physically and psychologically, to the animal all for the entertainment of humans (i.e. exactly like a circus) is wrong.

However, what the programme, i.e. Ross Kemp, failed to recognise is the existence of proper zoos and wildlife parks and how they are completely different to the ethos of the three bullet points above.

I don't why they would even be drawing a comparison between private ownership of large wild mammals and decent zoos in the first place.

It is just such a bull **** extrapolation based on some very lazy and erroneous "thinking".

 

[Benosaurus]

I don't why they would even be drawing a comparison between private ownership of large wild mammals and zoos in the first place.

It is just such a bull **** extrapolation based on some very lazy and erroneous "thinking".

The programme didn't make a comparison. It just placed all zoos and the very ethically dire situations in the bullet points all into the same "animals in captivity" pot, which was extremely disappointing and very ignorant/misleading programme making.

 

[GiraffeJack10]

I've just finished watching it and I just had to say something. I think it was a terrible show! Whilst some valid points were made, the majority was a load of rubbish. The worst examples were chosen specifically to give a negative interpretation of large cats in captivity. The first man was insane and obviously had no idea what he was doing. That 'enclosure' was pitiful and he really needs to do what's best for the animals, not himself. The couple from the scrap yard seemed like very genuine and friendly people, their enclosures looked good and the animals looked healthy but it just goes downhill after that. I fully oppose the way Heythrop use their animals for movies and adverts. While they do seem to know what they're doing, I really prefer it when captive animals exhibit naturalistic behaviours, not circus tricks. Speaking of circuses I'm sure I speak for many of us when I say that there is no way to justify it. It is cruel, selfish and greedy to keep animals in unnatural settings and forced to do unnatural behaviours while being kept in unnatural social groups. The mention of conservation here was just an excuse with no evidence to back it up. A stark contrast to the real conservation work performed by out beloved zoos. The second born free was mentioned I just rolled my eyes as I'm sure many of you did and this constant mention of these 'sanctuaries' that everyone is talking about just really annoys me. If they want real examples of 'rescue' big cats then they need not look any further than Yorkshire's lions. That's what real rescue animals look like, not being sold from one private collector to another. As a reptile owner, I dread to think what the next episode will be like. Whilst I only keep smaller common pet reptiles, if large monitors and pythons are banned then we'll see a domino effect leading to pets of any kind being banned. Overall I thought the show was a terrible and inaccurate representation of animals in captivity in the UK with them choosing the worst possible examples just to make it interesting to the general public watching. Hopefully stricter rules on exotic pets are put in place but I'm really worried about the situation this all might cause for our real zoos performing real conservation work.

 

[Benosaurus]

I've just finished watching it and I just had to say something. I think it was a terrible show! Whilst some valid points were made, the majority was a load of rubbish. The worst examples were chosen specifically to give a negative interpretation of large cats in captivity. The first man was insane and obviously had no idea what he was doing. That 'enclosure' was pitiful and he really needs to do what's best for the animals, not himself. The couple from the scrap yard seemed like very genuine and friendly people, their enclosures looked good and the animals looked healthy but it just goes downhill after that. I fully oppose the way Heythrop use their animals for movies and adverts. While they do seem to know what they're doing, I really prefer it when captive animals exhibit naturalistic behaviours, not circus tricks. Speaking of circuses I'm sure I speak for many of us when I say that there is no way to justify it. It is cruel, selfish and greedy to keep animals in unnatural settings and forced to do unnatural behaviours while being kept in unnatural social groups. The mention of conservation here was just an excuse with no evidence to back it up. A stark contrast to the real conservation work performed by out beloved zoos. The second born free was mentioned I just rolled my eyes as I'm sure many of you did and this constant mention of these 'sanctuaries' that everyone is talking about just really annoys me. If they want real examples of 'rescue' big cats then they need not look any further than Yorkshire's lions. That's what real rescue animals look like, not being sold from one private collector to another. As a reptile owner, I dread to think what the next episode will be like. Whilst I only keep smaller common pet reptiles, if large monitors and pythons are banned then we'll see a domino effect leading to pets of any kind being banned. Overall I thought the show was a terrible and inaccurate representation of animals in captivity in the UK with them choosing the worst possible examples just to make it interesting to the general public watching. Hopefully stricter rules on exotic pets are put in place but I'm really worried about the situation this all might cause for our real zoos performing real conservation work.

I wish there was a 'really really like' button i could click for this post!