Center, Internet, Wildlife Damage Management
Human–Wildlife Interactions
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Wildlife as Pets: Reshaping Public Perceptions through Targeted Communication
Date of this Version
Fall 2018
Document Type
Article
Citation
Human–Wildlife Interactions (Fall 2018) 12(2): article 15
doi: 10.26077/738c-nt69
Abstract
Keeping wildlife as pets has become an increasingly normalized idea in domestic settings. Whether compelled to rescue or adopt wildlife, humans continue to seek interactions with wild animals as pets. Often, this forced coexistence can lead to unforeseen and unfortunate consequences for both humans and wildlife.
. . .
In the specific case of wildlife as pets, the biggest challenge from a communication standpoint is to maintain the public’s passion for wildlife while shifting their perspectives and actions into compliance with better practices that contradict the daily exposure to popular culture trends. Will people forego social media fame by contacting authorities instead of rescuing an injured animal themselves? Will they acknowledge they are not fit or willing to care for an exotic species, even when legally permitted in their state? Will they reason that the risks to human health and safety—whether for themselves or others—outweigh the perks of having a cute and ideally cuddly (but sometimes monstrous) wild animal? Any shifts in public perceptions and actions will depend on who can reach them and present the most compelling case.