Leslie Massey
Keeping Australian native mammals as pets is a divisive topic. While some people believe that it is a good idea as it can help conserve wild populations and minimise biodiversity loss, others argue that wild animals should remain in their natural habitat. In Australia, there is state and territory legislation that stipulates which native species can be kept as pets and their licensing requirements. Some native Australian mammals that can be kept as pets with the appropriate licences include quolls, gliders, wallabies, and dingoes. However, it is important to note that keeping native mammals as pets is just one step in a larger conservation project, and the decision to acquire a pet should be made by committed and knowledgeable individuals who can provide the necessary care and attention for the animal's unique needs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Native Australian mammals that can be kept as pets | Squirrel gliders, yellow-bellied gliders, fruit bats, ring-tailed possums, quolls, gliders, wallabies, dingoes, sugar gliders, hopping mice |
| Legal pets in Australia | Dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, birds, reptiles, amphibians, pygmy marmosets, fennec foxes, iguanas, sugar gliders, fish |
| Legal pets in New South Wales | Exotic choices like lizards, frogs, and turtles |
| Requirements for keeping a native animal as a pet | Veterinary opinion on husbandry requirements, regular veterinary care, microchipping, appropriate licensing |
| Arguments for keeping native animals as pets | Raise awareness and concern for conservation among children, prevent species extinction, protect native animals from threats in the wild |
| Arguments against keeping native animals as pets | Poaching and illegal keeping practices, unsuitable living conditions, lack of knowledge about species-appropriate care and behaviour |
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What You'll Learn
Legality of owning Australian mammals as pets
The legality of owning Australian native mammals as pets varies across the country. There is currently state and territory legislation that stipulates which native species can be kept as pets and their licensing requirements. Native animals can be sourced from licensed breeders, societies, keepers, or pet shops with the appropriate dealer licenses. A license is not required for unprotected native species. However, legislation must protect the welfare of individual animals and wild populations, and it should include a code of practice and penalties for non-compliance.
In all states, there are permits addressing the rehabilitation of any sick, injured, or orphaned native animals. Volunteer wildlife carers are trained to care for these animals under specific rehabilitation permits. While a member of the public may potentially rescue a native animal and keep it as a long-term pet, this is illegal and strongly discouraged. The public should seek veterinary attention for assessment, treatment, advice, and/or euthanasia, adhering to appropriate legislation. The removal of healthy animals from the wild is generally not condoned unless it complies with government legislation and permits and is ethically justifiable without causing harm to the environment or the individual animal.
Some examples of Australian native mammals that have been kept as pets include the western quoll, squirrel gliders, yellow-bellied gliders, fruit bats, ring-tailed possums, and more. These species can form strong bonds with humans and exhibit affectionate and interactive behaviors. However, it is important to seek qualified veterinary opinion on the husbandry requirements of each species before considering owning one as a pet. The veterinary profession plays a crucial role in educating and training owners to ensure the animal's welfare and the best interest of the animal.
While some people advocate for keeping Australian native animals as pets to foster a connection and raise awareness for conservation, it is important to prioritize the welfare of the animals and comply with the relevant state and territory legislation.
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Benefits of keeping Australian mammals as pets
Keeping Australian mammals as pets has several advantages. Firstly, it can foster a sense of responsibility and respect for wildlife in children. Playing with pets helps children develop self-esteem, self-confidence, and empathy while also teaching them to build trusting relationships. Additionally, having native animals as companions can raise awareness and interest in Australia's unique fauna among the younger generation, which could lead to a stronger commitment to conservation efforts. This is particularly important given the Australian government's limited spending on threatened species recovery, with researchers estimating that more funding is needed to effectively protect these species.
Secondly, some Australian mammals can make affectionate, interactive, and rewarding companions. For instance, sugar gliders, squirrel gliders, yellow-bellied gliders, fruit bats, and ring-tailed possums are known for their social nature and ability to rapidly form bonds with humans. These species exhibit instinctive behaviours, such as head-rubbing in gliders, that reinforce social cohesion.
Thirdly, keeping certain Australian mammals as pets can potentially reduce the threats they face in their natural habitats. With their ecosystems increasingly fragmented by human activity and vulnerable to predators like cats and foxes, some argue that these mammals may be safer in captivity. This view challenges the notion that a species surviving only in captivity is effectively extinct, emphasizing our responsibility to preserve biodiversity by ensuring the survival of these creatures, whether in the wild or captivity.
Lastly, Australian native mammals can be legally obtained and kept as pets in some states with the appropriate licensing. While regulations vary across states, obtaining the necessary permits ensures compliance with government legislation and ethical considerations. Licensed breeders, societies, and pet shops can provide these native animals, and veterinarians can offer essential advice and care for their well-being.
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Welfare of Australian mammals in captivity
The welfare of Australian mammals in captivity is a complex issue that involves a fragmented system of regulatory management across states and territories. While some advocate for the conservation benefits of keeping native animals as pets, the legality and ethics of doing so require careful consideration.
Legislation and Responsibilities
In Australia, responsibility for animal welfare is largely retained by individual states and territories, leading to inconsistencies in the regulatory management of wildlife care. The Australian Government has specific powers related to external trade and treaties, including the import and export of animals, but its primary role concerning wildlife management involves wild animal welfare and research on government lands.
Each state and territory government enforces domestic animal welfare legislation, including for animals in captivity, with the RSPCA or government officers responsible for implementation. This legislation includes specific prohibitions or restrictions on activities related to confined or captive animals, such as the exhibition of certain species like primates, koalas, kangaroos, and wallabies.
Challenges and Concerns
One challenge is the distinction between rescue animals that are injured and those that are hand-reared, with the latter adapting to captivity as their natural state. Capturing and rehabilitating wild animals is often illegal, and releasing hand-reared orphan native animals may raise moral, ethical, and practical concerns.
Another issue is the removal of healthy animals from the wild, which should only occur under specific conditions, such as compliance with government legislation, ethical justification, and minimal potential harm to the environment or individual animal. Additionally, there should be scientifically-based practices for the transfer, release, or disposal of captive native animals to prevent causing harm.
Advocacy for Native Animals as Pets
Some argue that keeping native animals as pets can contribute to conservation efforts and provide a monetary value that could aid in their protection. Replacing non-native companion animals with natives could also have conservation benefits. Enriched enclosures can be designed to meet the behavioural needs of wildlife, providing a life worth living in captivity.
Personal accounts of individuals who have kept native animals as pets describe them as affectionate, interactive, and rewarding companions. These individuals also highlight the potential for native animals to capture the hearts of children, fostering a sense of value and concern for their future.
The welfare of Australian mammals in captivity is a multifaceted issue that involves legal, ethical, and practical considerations. While there are arguments for the potential benefits of keeping native animals as pets, it is essential to prioritise the well-being of the animals and ensure that any practices related to their captivity are scientifically justified and comply with relevant legislation.
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Conservation of Australian mammals
Australia is one of the most important nations for biodiversity, being one of only 17 'megadiverse' countries globally. Its geographical isolation has contributed to a rich array of biodiversity, with 87% of terrestrial mammal species endemic to the country. However, Australia's geographical isolation is also a key reason for its vulnerability to the endangerment of native wildlife.
The effective conservation of Australia's unique fauna is a major challenge. Australia's mammal fauna is exceptional, being the only place where representatives of the three surviving mammal lineages (monotremes, marsupials, and eutherians) coexist, and the only continent dominated by marsupials. Australia also hosts a stunning array of native rodents and bats. Due to its long-term isolation as an island continent, the vast majority of Australia's native marsupial (93%), rodent (91%), and microbat (73%) species are unique.
Over recent millennia, and especially in the last 200 years, this unique mammal fauna has suffered significant declines and extinctions, leaving the ecosystems of the continent profoundly changed. The European colonisation of Australia resulted in widespread clearing and alteration of native vegetation and the introduction of exotic species, including 22 mammals, which continues to have a profound impact on the native mammal fauna. Within the last 200 years, at least 25 species of Australian mammals (almost 10%) have become extinct, and many more (20% of remaining species) are now threatened.
The Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is a global conservation leader, restoring landscapes and ecosystems and providing hope for Australian wildlife. Guided by science, AWC works to restore ecosystems across its sanctuaries and partnership sites, and its world-leading reintroduction program returns animals to landscapes where they have been lost, restoring ecosystems and preventing extinctions. AWC also tackles ferals and weeds, and works with partners to restore fire patterns and promote biodiversity through strategic burns across landscapes.
It has been suggested that keeping Australian native animals as pets could help with conservation efforts. The argument is that if children are not exposed to native animals, they will be less likely to care about their conservation. Having native animals as companions would help to commit Australian children to their novelty and need for conservation.
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Bonding with Australian mammals
- Legal and Ethical Considerations: It is important to note that in most of Australia, owning native mammals and marsupials is currently off-limits. Only South Australia and Victoria permit the keeping of native animals as house pets. It is essential to adhere to the state and territory legislation regarding the permitted native species and their licensing requirements. The removal of healthy animals from the wild is generally not recommended unless it complies with government regulations and is ethically justifiable.
- Conservation and Awareness: Some advocates argue that keeping Australian native animals as pets could aid in conservation efforts and raise awareness among children. The idea is that by forming emotional bonds with these unique creatures, people will be more inclined to prioritize their conservation and protect their habitats.
- Social Bonding: Certain Australian native mammals are social species that can rapidly bond with humans. For example, squirrel gliders and yellow-bellied gliders exhibit instinctive behaviours such as head-rubbing, which reinforces social cohesion within their natural family units. These behaviours can potentially extend to human caregivers, creating a strong bond.
- Individual Experiences: Personal experiences shared by individuals who have kept Australian native mammals as pets vary. Some people have described their pets as obsessively clean, playful, and affectionate. For instance, a PhD student, Michael Archer, kept a laboratory-bred baby western quoll (Dasyurus geoffroii) and described it as a life-changing experience.
- Veterinary Care and Advice: When considering bonding with an Australian native mammal, it is crucial to seek qualified veterinary advice. Veterinarians can provide essential information on the husbandry requirements of the species and ensure that owners are well-equipped to meet the animal's needs. Regular veterinary care is essential to monitor the health and well-being of these unique pets.
- Potential Challenges: While many Australian native mammals can make excellent companions, it is important to recognize that not all species are well-suited for life in suburban or domestic environments. For example, the male platypus has venomous spurs that could be dangerous. Additionally, the decision to keep a native animal as a pet should consider the animal's best interest, especially in cases of orphaned or unsuccessfully rehabilitated individuals.
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