Serval, zebra and 70 boar among exotic animals kept in Shropshire
Camels, snakes, monkeys, wild cats and zebras are just some of the exotic animals being privately kept in the region.
A new survey by international wildlife charity Born Free has revealed nearly 4,000 wild animals are kept by individuals in Great Britain – many as pets.
Research done by the charity on the number of Dangerous Wild Animal (DWA) Act licences granted last year showed the different animals being kept.
Shropshire comprised the highest number of licences in the region, with 70 boar, two savannah cats, one serval, six wolves and three zebras, while there were licences in Telford and Wrekin for eight venomous spiders and scorpions.
Local authorities in Staffordshire revealed nine licences were granted, three for two lions and a tiger in Cannock and six for camels in Stafford Borough, while in the Black Country, there was one licence granted for a capuchin monkey in Sandwell.
Dr Mark Jones, veterinarian and Born Free’s head of policy, said the charity had been collating data for more than 20 years and had seen a dramatic rise in the number of exotic pets in private ownership.
