Another wild animal pet craze is sweeping Southeast Asia, pushing three of the four remaining otter species towards extinction, and fueling poaching and trafficking throughout their home ranges.
World Animal Protection (WAP) conducted an undercover investigation into the impact of this trend, and the results are incredibly concerning.
Japan, in particular, is going otter mad. Instagram posts featuring pet otters are numerous and exceedingly popular, and there are many otter cafes where people go to interact with these captive animals.
In Indonesia, the public can easily purchase otters online which have been taken from the wild or bred by inexperienced breeders. Even in Thailand, where it is illegal to hunt, keep or sell otters, the trade is rampant.
Otter families are fiercely bonded, and the parents are incredibly protective of their cubs. To take babies from the wild, poachers shoot or electrocute the parents, or smoke out the nests to grab the helpless infants.
Three otter species left in Southeast Asia are now in danger of extinction: the small-clawed, smooth-coated and hairy-nosed otters.
Although there is no denying these mammals are adorable, they are wild animals and are not suited — either physically or behaviorally — to domestication or captivity.
Highly intelligent, active and social animals, otters live in family groups of up to 20 individuals. Physically, they are designed for a largely aquatic life; they have webbed feet and a waterproof coat, and live in and along waterways.
In captivity, a paddling pool, bathtub or bucket is simply not enough to satisfy their endless curiosity and energy. Often, they are kept in solitary confinement, which leads to negative behaviors like circling, aggression and self-harming.
“Being cute is no justification for denying wild animals their freedom by keeping them locked up in someone’s home,” says Ben Williamson, US Campaigns Director for WAP. “There is no way to replicate the space and freedom these otters enjoy in the wild. Regrettably, social media is increasing the worrying trend of keeping wild animals as pets. Influencers who present otters as fun and cool pets are perpetuating a trade that ignores the complex habitat, nutrition, and health needs of the animal.”
WAP is supporting recent proposals to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which suggest upgrading the small-clawed and smooth-coated otters to an Appendix 1 status, thus enabling authorities to monitor and enforce illegal activity more closely and restrict captive breeding.
No matter how appealing otters are, they are wild animals and should never be subjected to a life of suffering either as pets or as a form of entertainment. If you see “cute” otter videos promoting them as pets on social media, please speak out and educate others on the reality of this heartbreaking trend.
STOP!!!! Asia Stop!! killing Otters for a ridiculous craze!!! Otters belong in the wild swimming in lakes with their Families!!! You’re committing murder and torturing the lone Otter by leaving him alone all day!!
Stop this cruelty towards Otters ! Save the Otters.
Why is it that Asia is always doing something horrific to the animals of this planet. Do they never ever stop to think about the consequences of their actions. Who cares how cute these otters are – they do not belong in captivity – they belong in the wilds with their own, not dumped into some god damn bath tub and left alone. Jesus H Christ the people of this world just get more stupid as the days go on. Leave all animals in their own environments as long as they are safe. What is the matter with you people anyways???
governments world wide MUST PROTECT ALL WILDLIFE & THE WILDLIFE AREAS THEY LIVE IN! STRONG PUNISHMENT FOR WILDLIFE POACHING, ABUSE & KILLING!!!
Yes, they are cute and admirable creatures. That is not a reason to make them miserable and ruin their lives. People who do this should be locked up, themselves.
What is wrong with people?! They’re wild animals and don’t deserve this ridiculousness. I think they’re really cute, too, but keep leave them alone to be wild. Extinct is forever!
We as humans are at fault for ALL the issues of wildlife problems and their DISTRUCTION and fail of Habbitate , it’s time – Time has come to take reasponsability and fix what we can for them ALL to to recover!!! Or it’s gonna be our own down spieral !!!!!!
We as humans are at fault for ALL the issues of wildlife problems and their DISTRUCTION and fail of Habbitate , it’s time – Time has come to take reasponsability and fix what we can for them ALL to to recover!!! Or it’s gonna be our own down spieral !!!!!!
Same as the dolphins, but as long as people want to make money they will use and abuse innocent animals without a second thought.
This cruelty needs to STOP!
It figures that another Oriental country is working on exterminating more animals. Many, not all there, have very archaic, ancient and barbaric ways of thinking and severely lack in compassion and care for animals as well as other human beings. They have weak or no laws at all in protecting the welfare of animals and believe that everything that breathes is their given right to take life away. There are a small minority of Asians who do care about animals and the preservation of life but they are outnumbered by the uncivilized populous and governments of their countries. I see no end to this in these Oriental countries who torture, murder and eat cats, dogs, donkeys and horses unless their governments grow backbones and put an end to this madness once and for all.
This is the problem of the countries with NO LAWS. Please BAN the pet trade or the importing/exporting these animals. BRING THE NEW LAWS & IMPLEMENT THEM TOO. This madness has to be stopped.
Thank everyone for helping our precious animals against all this horrible abuse.
Tougher laws on animal cruelty. Animal cruelty is unexceptable. Why should animals suffer?
Whoever is righteous has has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. – Proverbs 12:10
Please STOP the capturing of these innocent creatures!
Please STOP capturing these beautiful innocent creatures!!
THIS WHOLE THING IS SO WRONG. JUST LET THE ANIMALS BE FREE AND LIVE THE LIFE THEY ARE MEANT TO LIVE. WHERE IS THE PETITION FOR THE OTTERS??
This cruel trade must be stopped. How shameful.
What is it with Asians and animals?
I refuse to travel to any Asian country or to anywhere in that part of the world. Need I say more?
It is time that the cruel and useless “man” is exterminated, they keep on breeding and more and more monsters are coming on this kind of globe. They really eradicate ALL because they think they have the right to do so, Brainless, insensitive and selfish, that’s the kind of monsters!ENT
humans can be selfish
Is there any end to the mean useless people that share this earth ?
I will be glad when they get what they deserve one way or another.
keep up good work and because u do good things n get results ive decided to support you monthly.
god bless
I agree with these comments. The Asians are a disgrace to humanity/
Asians again. Isn’t eating dog enough?
What a seriously and obviously inbred culture of degenerates.
Humans are so very stupid! We are decimating our planet.
Why stop there Japan? You exploit more animals than anyone in the world, with the exception of China. I swear, you people have a screw loose somewhere, maybe a defective gene in Your DNA that makes you so damn mean.
This is heartbreaking and must stop.