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| Wild animals at UK homes include lions, zebras and crocodiles | Wild animals at UK homes include lions, zebras and crocodiles |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Wild animals including lions, tigers, crocodiles, rattlesnakes and zebras are being kept legally on private property across the UK, figures have revealed. | Wild animals including lions, tigers, crocodiles, rattlesnakes and zebras are being kept legally on private property across the UK, figures have revealed. |
| More than 100 councils have issued licences to people who keep undomesticated animals at home, a freedom of information request by the Press Association news agency found. | More than 100 councils have issued licences to people who keep undomesticated animals at home, a freedom of information request by the Press Association news agency found. |
| It also showed more than 300 cobras, vipers and rattlesnakes are being kept. | It also showed more than 300 cobras, vipers and rattlesnakes are being kept. |
| Animal welfare experts have expressed concern at the findings. | Animal welfare experts have expressed concern at the findings. |
| Animals in the UK | |
| The FOI found: | |
| Dangerous wild animals licences are required to keep animals that are considered to be wild, dangerous or exotic. | Dangerous wild animals licences are required to keep animals that are considered to be wild, dangerous or exotic. |
| These are granted by councils, provided requisite safety measures at the owner's home are met and a fee is paid. | These are granted by councils, provided requisite safety measures at the owner's home are met and a fee is paid. |
| Licences are also issued to properties where animals may be receiving care after being rescued, or living at small private farms, where people keep wild beasts for breeding purposes. | Licences are also issued to properties where animals may be receiving care after being rescued, or living at small private farms, where people keep wild beasts for breeding purposes. |
| Iain Newby, who runs a wild animal rescue facility from his home in Little Wakering, Essex, told BBC Radio 5 live: "I can understand people's fascination with a lot of these animals, I keep servals myself - African cats. | Iain Newby, who runs a wild animal rescue facility from his home in Little Wakering, Essex, told BBC Radio 5 live: "I can understand people's fascination with a lot of these animals, I keep servals myself - African cats. |
| "A lot of these animals I do believe should never be pets, they should be - if they are rare or if they are endangered - in proper breeding groups to keep the populations. | "A lot of these animals I do believe should never be pets, they should be - if they are rare or if they are endangered - in proper breeding groups to keep the populations. |
| "But there are certain animals that are kept as pets, have been kept as pets for a long time, are bred in captivity, such as the servals." | "But there are certain animals that are kept as pets, have been kept as pets for a long time, are bred in captivity, such as the servals." |
| There once was a sidewinder from Swale... | There once was a sidewinder from Swale... |
| The figures supplied by the councils only collate details of animals being kept legally with a licence, but not any that are being kept without the proper authorisation. | |
| Mr Newby said that although the FoI revealed more than 300 venomous snakes were being kept across the country, he said he knew "four or five different people that have more than 300 venomous snakes themselves". | Mr Newby said that although the FoI revealed more than 300 venomous snakes were being kept across the country, he said he knew "four or five different people that have more than 300 venomous snakes themselves". |
| He said some people keep them because they have rescued them and are in a position to look after them properly, while others keep them to help hospitals with anti-venom work. | He said some people keep them because they have rescued them and are in a position to look after them properly, while others keep them to help hospitals with anti-venom work. |
| An RSPCA spokeswoman said the charity was "deeply concerned" about the figures. | An RSPCA spokeswoman said the charity was "deeply concerned" about the figures. |
| "People may buy them with little idea of how difficult they can be to keep and the animals are sometimes neglected when the novelty wears off and the commitment hits home. | "People may buy them with little idea of how difficult they can be to keep and the animals are sometimes neglected when the novelty wears off and the commitment hits home. |
| "This is why we would encourage anyone thinking of getting an exotic pet to find out as much as possible about the animal's needs and whether they're a realistic pet." | "This is why we would encourage anyone thinking of getting an exotic pet to find out as much as possible about the animal's needs and whether they're a realistic pet." |
| The FoI request was sent to every council in the UK, of which 363 replied. | The FoI request was sent to every council in the UK, of which 363 replied. |
| In Northern Ireland, the Environment Agency provided the figures for the whole country. | In Northern Ireland, the Environment Agency provided the figures for the whole country. |
| Do you keep wild animals at your home? Share your stories and pictures with us. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Do you keep wild animals at your home? Share your stories and pictures with us. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |