by Kim Atienza
People often ask me. Why do I keep exotic pets right in my own home?
As you may all know, I have a mini-zoo in my yard. There are snakes, rare birds, all sorts of animals that form part and parcel of my existence.
The question goes back: Why do people keep exotic pets?
After an incident that led to the death of 49 exotic animals in a menagerie, the debate over exotic pet ownership has escalated. There are conservationists and animal activists on one side who believe that wild animals deserve to be left in the wild (as they should be).
On the other hand, exotic pet enthusiasts believe that if they’re capable of providing for the animal in their care, they should legally be able to keep them as pets.
Many consider keeping captive-bred wildlife enjoyable, an adventure channeling their inner wildlife side.
Keeping wild animals in homes guarantee a breeding chance for them to increase their population, one sure way to avoid extinction.
However, animal activists argue that the animals should remain in the wild. Some studies show that wild members of a species are less likely to mate with a captive member of the species, completely debunking the idea of repopulation via captive breeding.
(With reference from negreenplanet.org).
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TRIVIA PA MORE (Various Sources): Whale Shark, also known as Butanding, is the world’s largest fish. It usually swims in Philippine waters.
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The world’s smallest fish named dwarf pygmy goby (Pandaka Pygmea) is found in the streams and lakes of Luzon, with an average length of 8.7mm and weigh 4-5 mg for male.
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Send your questions on anything and everything to Kuya Kim through my Twitter account @kuyakim_atienza using #AlaminKayKuyaKim.
Ating tuklasin ang mga bagay-bagay na di n’yo pa alam. Walang ’di susuungin, lahat aalamin. Ito po si Kuya Kim, Matanglawin, only here in Tempo.