MORE than a hundred thousand wild animals including crocodiles, monkeys, sugar gliders, and Gila monsters are being legally sold in pet shops across the UK despite being unsuitable pets, according to a new report from global animal welfare charity, World Animal Protection.

The study used data obtained via a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to UK local authorities, on licences to sell animals as pets in the UK.

It found nearly 2,000 pet traders licensed by 283 different councils had permission to sell shockingly high numbers of wild (non-domesticated) species, otherwise known as "exotic pets".

Licenses indicated that the maximum numbers of exotic pets permitted for sale in the UK at any one time included at least 64,810 reptiles, 54,634 amphibians, 23,507 birds and 6,479 mammals.

Some local authorities failed to provide licensing information, so these numbers under-represent the true scale of wild animals for sale at pet shops across the UK.

Wrexham did provide data, and this is the breakdown of maximum numbers of exotic pets permitted for sale in the area at any one time according to its licence details: 0 amphibians, 60 birds, 296 mammals, and 90 reptiles.

In Wales as a whole the figures are: amphibians 2,251, birds 1,518, mammals 673, reptiles 3,317, making a total of 7,759.

The license data for the UK as a whole also revealed the shocking diversity of wild animals for sale in pet shops, including dangerous wild animals, endangered species and species known to be highly susceptible to serious welfare problems in captivity. Whilst owners are required to obtain a license to keep dangerous wild animals, the vast majority of exotic pets can be kept without any sort of license at all.

Some of the dangerous wild animals permitted for sale in the UK include:

  • Venomous snakes such as pit vipers (Crotalinae), a subfamily containing 190 species, many of which are capable of inflicting fatal bites on humans, making it very challenging to look after appropriately or access veterinary care.
  • Venomous lizards including Gila monsters, strong quick animals which grow up to 50cm long and can inflict excruciating bites due to neurotoxins which can cause respiratory failure.
  • Crocodilians such as Caimans, even Dwarf species grow to 1.5-2m long and pose a serious risk of injury due to aggressive behaviour. Difficulty in handling, very specific environmental needs and a lack of knowledge of captive care requirements mean they are at a high risk of neglect.
  • Carnivorous mammals including African civets, solitary, nocturnal, and primarily tree-dwelling predators that feed on rodents, lizards, snakes and frogs. Noise and social interaction have negative impacts on their welfare and they frequently suffer from poor diet and housing in captivity.

Each authority decides on what species are licensed for sale.

Wrexham is one of 16 areas where pets shops are licensed to sell chipmunks.

However, the county does not license the sale of marmosets but neighbouring Cheshire West and Chester does.

Again, Wrexham does not license the sale of African Pygmy Hedgehogs or sugar gliders but neighbouring Cheshire West and Chester and Denbighshire do.

The only area in Wales where pet shops are licensed to sell African Dwarf Crocodiles is Neath Port Talbot.

Some wild animals permitted for sale that are particularly susceptible to serious welfare problems in captivity.

Peter Kemple Hardy, World Animal Protection, Wildlife Campaign Manager said, "The scope and scale of wildlife for sale to the British public on our high streets is truly shocking. Wild animals have complex environmental, social and behavioural needs which cannot easily be met by pet owners. These animals do not belong in our homes. We know that exotic pet owners are often motivated by a love of animals, but the reality is that for a wild animal, even with the best intentions, a life in captivity becomes a life sentence."

Previous research by World Animal Protection found that the UK imported more than 3.4 million wild animals over a five-year period (2014-18) for commercial purposes, including the exotic pet trade. Imported wild animals originated from 90 countries around the world, including regions identified as emerging disease hot spots, highlighting how the global wildlife trade represents a significant risk to public health.

World Animal Protection has called on G20 leaders to ban the global wildlife trade and urges consumers to never buy an exotic pet, and if they already own one, commit to not replacing them in the future.