23 May 2016
Wild animals including lions,
tigers, crocodiles, rattlesnakes and zebras are being kept legally on private
property across the UK, figures have revealed.
More than 100 councils have
issued licences to people who keep undomesticated animals at home, a freedom of
information request by the Press Association news agency found.
It also showed more than 300
cobras, vipers and rattlesnakes are being kept.
Animal welfare experts have
expressed concern at the findings.
The FOI found:
Licences for pumas, lynxes,
ocelots, lemurs, vipers, ostriches and an assortment of wild cats have been
issued in Cornwall
Wolves, alligators, caiman
crocodiles, black widow spiders, venomous snakes and short-clawed otters are
being kept in Central Bedfordshire
Cannock Chase Council has issued
licences for three tigers and two lions
Among the most popular dangerous
pets are lemurs, a small primate, 115 of which are kept in domestic settings
15 wolves are registered at UK
addresses
412 bison and more than 2,000
wild boar live in private fields in the UK, along with a score of zebras
Dangerous wild animals licences
are required to keep animals that
are considered to be wild, dangerous or exotic.
These are granted by councils,
provided requisite safety measures at the owner's home are met and a fee is
paid.
Licences are also issued to
properties where animals may be receiving care after being rescued, or living
at small private farms, where people keep wild beasts for breeding purposes.
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