PET ownership is on the rise but what if animal adoption could prevent wildlife from becoming endangered? Judging from the 4.6 million pet dogs in Australia and the growing number of other pets showing no sign of elimination, adoption may hold the key to ending extinction.
Paleontologist at the University of New South Wales, Mike Archer, believes that restricting or forbidding the public from keeping native animals as pets was a “potential passport to extinction”, an incentive that could have saved the Tasmanian tiger from being wiped out in the 1930s.
In Victoria, some native wildlife can be homed as pets without a permit, including many types of native bird, frog, reptile, and hopping mice. Since European settlement, Australia have lost six species of hopping mice.
By allowing people to purchase the vulnerable mice as pets, breeding programs have been funded and the public have been educated and empowered to care for at-risk species.
Just like cats and dogs, Professor Archer believes many native animals would embrace domestic life. He is encouraging states across Australia to adopt this philosophy.
“I had a pet swamp wallaby, Wallabia bicolor, in the house with me and it was like a dog. It was wonderful,” Professor Archer said.
“They love being with us. These are animals that are ready to cross the line and become your best friend.
“We’ve never given them this chance.
“We’ve said the only animals that are suitable for being companions with us are alien invading animals… And this is crazy.”
This is disturbing when the reason many native animals are declared vulnerable is due to the destruction caused by invading animal species, like cats and foxes.
