BORN FREE – OR ARE THEY?

'A Robin Redbreast in a cage sends all heaven in a rage'

Many, like the author of the above - William Blake, would agree that imprisoning a bird in a cage for human entertainment is cruel, but few are fully aware of the vast trade in wildlife which causes animals to be taken from their natural habitats to be imprisoned either in zoos or circuses or else languishing in small indoor enclosures in private homes, in climates which are not endemic to their species. Wildlife Trafficking, the illegal trade in plants and sale of wild birds and exotic pets is said to be the second biggest threat to species survival after habitat destruction. It is also thought to be the third most valuable illicit commerce in the world, after drugs and weapons, each believed to be worth billions of dollars each.
There are serious environmental implications. A number of popular pet birds, especially those from Central and South America, are declining in number in the wild in the wake of the chopping down of trees, in the search of baby parrots in high up nests. The resultant deforestation then also destroys the habitat of other small animals. The Environmental Investigation Agency estimates that for every wild caught bird that reaches a pet shop, three others have died during capture, confinement and transportation.
A furore has recently erupted over the trade in the Kalahari Meerkat. This follows an undercover investigation by the Captive Animals’ Protection society (CAPS) which has spearheaded an international campaign based on the message ‘Wild Animals Belong in the Wild’. The investigation established that these little mammals sell for up to R 17 000 each in the flourishing pet trade. Indeed, they are on the wish list of an increasing number of Britons, according to Craig Redman, spokesperson for CAPS who found many of these mammals, indigenous to Southern African deserts, for sale in pet shops.
Grant McIlrath of the Meerkat Magic Conservation Project in Oudtshoorn confirms that the Meerkats are highly sociable animals who live in family groups of up to thirty and care for each other. They are generally considered cute but in fact bite and are very destructive indoors as they will still exhibit burrowing behaviour and easily become ill because of an incorrect diet. Many literally go insane because of lack of social contact, which leads to their subsequently being disposed of.
Permits are required before wild animals can be exported but there are many illegal means to circumvent the environmental laws. Documented cases have shown the involvement of zoos being used to ‘launder’ the animals. Whilst permits are not readily obtained for export for domestic purposes, it’s relatively easy to obtain permits for inter-zoo transfer. One such documented case was the transfer of three chimps from Whippersnade Zoo in the U.K. to Johannesburg Zoo whence they were obtained for experimental purposes in the SADF’s infamous Chemical and Biological warfare (CBW) programme. It’s also very difficult to trace the ultimate destination of animals transferred in this way, as zoos from time to time dispose of their ‘surplus’ animals, including baby animals that have reached maturity and are no longer a drawing card.
In this regard Paul Hart of the Drakenstein Lion Park, which provides sanctuary to abused lions rescued from cruel circumstances around the world, has many a tale to tell.
For instance Dodo, the cute lion cub, purchased illegally from an Eastern European zoo. This is quite a common practice with many of these zoos, which sell animals like lion cubs as pets to earn extra revenue. The buyer’s intent was to keep him as a pet, but obviously a growing lion does not fit in well in any household. Dodo's owner evicted him from the house and ended up keeping him in a small underground concrete pit. There he was incarcerated for almost his entire life of eight years. In winter his jail filled with snow while temperatures dropped to minus 20 degrees. Many animal welfare organizations tried to liberate Dodo from his dungeon, unsuccessfully, but Paul Hart persevered and after almost three years of hard work Dodo was finally freed from his prison.

No wild animal is safe from exploitation. Apart from birds, monkeys and even tortoises are exploited. “This is because animals are seen as commodities to be traded and there is a lot of pressure on governments in Africa to up their trade surplus. So animals, natural resources, etc. are all being stripped and going to the North,” says Michele Pickover of Animal Rights Africa. “There is little or no consideration for the welfare of the animals.”

And so the silent screams of these creatures remain unheard, while the human species continues to imprison them, creating the very market which sustains this unethical practice.

But at least there was a happy ending for Dodo the Lion . Highly traumatised on arrival at the Drakenstein Lion Park as grey walls and the rusted steel bars above his head were all that he’d seen his entire life, and unused to nature, he feared even the leaves that rustled in the wind. Fortunately, after several months of special care, he is now well adjusted.
“Everything he experiences is new for him and he delights in everything around him,” says Paul Hart. “He has found sanctuary and can now live the kind of life he deserves.”

If only this could be the fate of all wild animals.