Where do wild animals belong?
Today, we (through the Wildlife Science Center) got to visit the Wild Cat Sanctuary, a place not open to the public. We didn't get to get very close at all, which was a little disappointing, but it was still interesting. The lions weren't out, because they were building a den for them, so we didn't see them at all. Some of those cats have really sad stories. Lots of malnutrition and abuse.
On another note, who wants a bear for a pet?
One man who had one didn't feed her well--she was very underweight--and had her tied to two trees. Furthermore, her collar was growing into her neck. And, he tried to get her back.
Raccoons and skunks have claws and don't like people. Plus, even with their glands removed, skunks stink. Foxes and coyotes reek, and coyotes love to mark their territory.
Wolf-dogs are one of the most dangerous, because they are not afraid of people. People forget, also, that they are part wolf. It is important to understand wolf behavior and how the hierarchy works. By raising that dog, you are taking the alpha (dominant) position. When that puppy grows up, it may want to become alpha, and you might be standing in the way. While a wolf-dog's jaw might not be as strong as a wolf's jaw (dogs have weaker jaws than wolves), it is still very strong. Let's just put it this way--a wolf's back teeth are designed for crushing bone and can crush through a cow's femur.
Therefore, keep wild animals in the wild. Don't feed them.
Turning domestic cats and dogs into domestic cats and dogs took thousands of years of selective breeding for tame characteristics.
No matter how hard you try to imprint it, there is no such thing as a tame wolf. There is no such thing as a tame bear. There is no such thing as a tame skunk, etc.
/end rant
On another note, who wants a bear for a pet?
One man who had one didn't feed her well--she was very underweight--and had her tied to two trees. Furthermore, her collar was growing into her neck. And, he tried to get her back.
Raccoons and skunks have claws and don't like people. Plus, even with their glands removed, skunks stink. Foxes and coyotes reek, and coyotes love to mark their territory.
Wolf-dogs are one of the most dangerous, because they are not afraid of people. People forget, also, that they are part wolf. It is important to understand wolf behavior and how the hierarchy works. By raising that dog, you are taking the alpha (dominant) position. When that puppy grows up, it may want to become alpha, and you might be standing in the way. While a wolf-dog's jaw might not be as strong as a wolf's jaw (dogs have weaker jaws than wolves), it is still very strong. Let's just put it this way--a wolf's back teeth are designed for crushing bone and can crush through a cow's femur.
Therefore, keep wild animals in the wild. Don't feed them.
Turning domestic cats and dogs into domestic cats and dogs took thousands of years of selective breeding for tame characteristics.
No matter how hard you try to imprint it, there is no such thing as a tame wolf. There is no such thing as a tame bear. There is no such thing as a tame skunk, etc.
/end rant