In the same way that a cat or dog are part of the family, exotic animals have managed to break into our home. The problem arises when we realize that the care demanded by these peculiar pets are far from the daily needs of traditional domestic animals. Owning a reptile or a psittacine requires responsibility but also a certain professionalism, so it is essential that we do not get carried away by the whim of deciding what the pet with which we share our lives.
One of the negative consequences deriving from a bad choice is abandoned, only that when left to their fate to a copy exotic, the effects of this neglect go beyond an injury to the animal: the impact of this undesirable action affect the balance of the ecosystem itself. Exotarium born to pick up all those who are abandoned exotic animals and also those who come to Spain and are confiscated at airports.
A rescue center
According to the Washington agreement, signed by Spain in 1987, must have a rescue center for exotic animals in which the animals for protection from illegal trafficking. Almost 20 years later, this figure remains to be established in our country. Luis Miguel Dominguez, known naturalist and documentary filmmaker, spent a lot of resources to lift the current Exotarium in an existing hall in Titusville (Florida). This site already had zoological and environmental impact assessment because, initially, had commercial expectations relating to the exhibition and outreach.
Then it was found that an initiative of this type of external support needed to survive. At first, it was helped by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry of Environment, while this agreement is currently pending renewal. Today, the current Exotarium is about to open its doors to the public and thus able to cover the entrance fee costs that should be borne by the Administration. And it is to recreate a natural habitat for these very special tenants feel at their place of origin is complicated and expensive.
According to Jose Luis Mendez, a veterinarian Exotarium,? The vessel is heated and has a constant temperature because most of the specimens are tropical, which increases maintenance?. In this sense, many zoos have given up almost entirely to accommodate these species because they are unable to cope with energy, food or the staff required: funds under the agreement that these parks are used to embrace the illegal copies, but these funds never come.
Invasive species
When an animal that does not share our habitat is left to their fate, he tries to survive acclimated to our environment, occupying a place in the ecosystem that will crowd out other species that were before. This phenomenon corresponds to the problem of invasive species, that is, a threat to biodiversity. According to the vet Exotarium? Exotic is what comes from outside and is producing a shift of some species to other ecosystems. The species that breed here do wrong because they develop a site that is not yours?.
Orphaned animals that come to suffer stress Exotarium and in many cases, suffer wounds that demonstrate the lack of interest that one day they were acquired. ? In most cases, people die because they do not give them the care they need, nor is it in the store adequately explain it, but it is as easy as reading a book or worry about collecting the necessary information?, Admits Jose Luis Mendez, stating that the excuses that put the owners are certainly ridiculous and, in fact, so they want to get rid of them is because they grow and are a nuisance: is it a part of personal justification because they know they have misbehaved?, Mendez said, appealing to common sense when choosing an exotic specimen.
As for the items intercepted at airports, the vet confesses Exotarium alternatives. ? The usual procedure-and cheaper-is euthanasia? There are thousands of animals are slaughtered?, revealed Mendez. The other solution is the
repatriation
, Which is inserted back to these animals in the exporting and importing circuit contaminated, regardless of the health risk involved getting from one place to another. So protect these illegal travelers in a rescue center as announcing that agreement would be the perfect solution.
A living
There is no culture of exotic animals in our country. According to Jose Luis Mendez and Dirube Carmen, another of the people in this project has turned his best efforts, people who buy an iguana or a parrot does it for fashion or because the baby of the family insists their parents to have a reptile on a whim. From Exotarium remind us that raising awareness with children is essential because it is these expectations which are projected from the windows of the pet shops:? We have reached a point where if a child is a fish dies or a parakeet, I do not care, and that's because it is not aware that you are dealing with a living?.
The case of the parrots is especially disturbing is found to be the first to suffer in captivity and animals are known to be a single owner. In this regard, said Dirube sometimes? If they change ownership, they can cost you your life?. The friendly parrots adopt certain customs and consider their home as their family because they are social animals. In establishments overlooked warn buyers of the longevity of these birds, which may exceed their owners. Mendez added that many parrots are resold to the store? With disgust this means for the animal?.
The danger of fashion
The confusion about the place of exotic species in today's society comes to an alarming extent. ? We found softshell turtles swimming in the Albufera of Valencia, a kinkajou who escaped from a boat hanging from a tree around the coast Coruña? All examples that exposes the veterinary Exotarium not give an idea of how wrong people are. ? Many leave their animals here and think we make a gift, we say that if you can come to him whenever they want and even ask us whether we will treat you well?, Says Mendez.
Establishments that sell exotic animals put in place, as those responsible for Exotarium consulted? The mischief of not reporting to sell more?. However, it is necessary to professionalize the possession of such species to prevent ecological disasters. ? Besides, he added Mendez-stores are not going to stop selling because iguanas need terrariums, lamps, harnesses, etc..?. On the other hand, the vet referred to fashion, yet to come to Spain, from snails hermits:? Shells colonized by these animals are customized to suit the consumer and, as the snail grows, it demands a higher shell ?. These practices demonstrate how? Entire industry survives hurting a living being?.
Defending the nature
• When you have an open door at the entrance of animals, you must have a very well put quarantine: microchip identification, assessment of blood? All the mechanisms so as not to risk the health of those inside?. Exotarium continues to evaluate the possible ways of funding considering the implementation of adoption programs, the organization of a Friends Club, agreements with universities, colleges and prisons, sponsorship, courses, workshops, forums or training the ecological police.
The final message transmitted from the rescue center is that places with species in captivity are able to assist in the defense of endangered species and that? Like buying a dog knows what a dog, when purchase an exotic animal to the store should be required to tell us the pros and cons?. In this sense, Exotarium remember that they can not accept animals from which no invoice is held and a number CITES, because they would be committing a crime at the time they undertake an inspection.
Chinchillas, prairie dogs, skunks, raccoons, kinkajous, coatis, rabbits, tarantulas, alligators, Vietnamese pigs, parrots, vultures, toucans, macaws, cichlids, piranha, boa constrictors, pythons regius, pit vipers (rattlesnakes), mambas green, Egyptian cobras, iguanas, turtles in Florida? more than 200 animals gathered in a space where check how big it is exotic wildlife? irresponsible and can be the man.
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