Detroit Zoo may take rescued exotic animals

BY TAMMY STABLES BATTAGLIA
FREE PRESS

The Detroit Zoo may be the new home for five wallabies, four sloths, three agoutis, two ring-tailed lemurs, two coatis, two kinkajous and hundreds of reptiles, spiders and amphibians after the seizure of 27,000 abused animals in Texas.

Six Detroit Zoo curators and supervisors have been in Dallas for four weeks helping to care for the animals, taken Dec. 15 from U.S. Global Exotics, an international exotic animal dealer. The city of Arlington carried out the raid based on evidence from a 7-month investigation by the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) that found the animals confined in cramped and filthy cages and denied necessary food, water and veterinary care.

“Often, the welfare needs of exotic animals in these environments cannot be adequately met and they end up in compromised conditions and in need of rescue by zoos and other animal welfare organizations,” said Scott Carter, Detroit Zoological Society chief life sciences officer.

After seven days of testimony, an Arlington municipal judge ruled last week the animals should not be returned to U.S. Global Exotics. The company’s owners have until the end of this week to appeal the decision.

If the ruling stands, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Texas will work to place the animals with zoos and sanctuaries to ensure that they are not put back into the pet trade or released into the wild.

The animals rescued by the zoo will be in quarantine upon arrival to ensure they are healthy and acclimating well before being released into their respective habitats, Detroit Zoo spokeswoman Patricia Janeway said Tuesday.

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