For the Love of Animals

By Cynthia Kosco-Marsh, March 2008

I decided to write and give my perspective on the joys of animal ownership, both wild (native to this country) and exotic (those not native to this country). I am writing this primarily in the hopes it will reach those who may not have had the opportunity to know wild and exotic animals and wish to learn more about the experience. Also, with the advent of the exotic animal ban laws going into effect, I would like to express how unjust I feel these laws are.

Everyone on this planet has a passion of one sort or another; mine happens to be caring for exotic and native wildlife. Imagine if suddenly, you were not able to continue your passion in your lifetime? Would you not think this is unfair? What about the future generations of zookeepers and wild animal trainers? The next generation should have the ability and privilege to go after their dreams as well. The best experiences of my life have been raising, handling, and caring for many different wild and exotic species primarily in the private sector. I firmly believe that hands-on with animals is crucial in developing lasting bonds and ensures a happy co-existence for those animals in captivity. The experience of touch is so important to both human and animal.

I remember a female Hamadryas baboon, Holly, would get rather indignant and would bark at me to come to her first as I was making a beeline to go play with the young tigers. I spent a lot of time with them in their enclosure petting them and watching their interactions with one another. Holly enjoyed grooming me and I would sit with her and watch the other Hamadryas and Mandrills play together, as it was a mixed exhibit. I’ve always been fascinated with primate behavior and sometimes the large adult male Mandrill would come and sit in front of me with his arms and legs sticking out of the fence.

At another facility, Boris, a Russian Brown Bear in my care, would sit against the fence next to me and I would hand him minnows and watch in amazement at his dexterity as he would gingerly pick them up with his claws! Another wonderful experience was target training an Island Flying Fox. I could write volumes on my experiences at various different private facilities as each was unique in regards to the animals in their collection. All of these animals were loved and well-cared for. These are experiences that I hope will continue in my future and that everyone who has a desire to learn and observe these magnificent creatures will be able to do so.

I would also like to state that many of the animals that I have worked with are privately owned as well. These owners, myself included, provide wonderful habitats and environments in which these animals live and thrive. This will not be possible if lawmakers allow banning laws to pass. An article that I have read recently states that “experts agree that interaction with animals gives children the chance to acquire many kinds of knowledge and develop the two vital qualities of responsibility and kindness.” It goes on to say that “while learning to care for dependent animals, children practice and develop the qualities of empathy, awareness, compassion and care, qualities without which most human relationships wither.” I have presented exotic animals to the public, both solo and for organizations that I have worked for, and I feel this is quite a valuable educational tool for children to learn from. The appreciation for all forms of life cannot be attained from a video or book; one must experience these things first-hand in order to leave any lasting impression at all.

In the last several years, it has been a privilege for me to assist in the raising, rehabilitation and release of many different native wildlife species. The majority of my work has been with raccoons which are wonderfully entertaining and a pleasure to work with. Recently, an adult female raccoon came back to me with a fishing lure stuck in her mouth and finger. I gently tried to remove it myself but could not; had this raccoon not been habituated to human contact, I would not have been able to load her in a crate and take her to the veterinarian where the lure was removed and I took her home and set her free once again.

In conclusion and contrary to what the animals rights propaganda would lead you to believe, wild and exotic animals, while not domesticated, are quite capable of returning the love and devotion that private owners so lavishly give to them. The relationships with these animals are built on years of love, trust and respect. This is not a fairy tale; these scenarios are playing out every day all over America and the world and I pray that they may continue.

Photo Copyright © Catdogfox 2008

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