Over the years pet monkey attacks are reported by the news. Though, admittedly, not nearly as often as dog attacks. Back in late February 2009 a women was mauled by her 200 pound pet chimpanzee. Though, reportedly she had given the chimp a Xanax in a cup of tea. What are your thoughts on this subject?

Why did she give her chimp Xanax? That's a little odd, unless it was on doctor's orders. It's supposed to relax people but i guess it didn't relax the chimp.

Dogs very rarely attack their owners.

The question here as well as another thread regarding monkeys as pets is really based on wild vs. domesticated animals. Domesticated animals have been such for centuries - beginning when human beings were even more uncivilized than we are now. Since we did domesticate them - of course solely to serve our own purposes - we now have an obligation to continue to take care of them.

Wild animals that are enslaved into being pets also only serve to fufill human needs - whether that need is to feel special because you own an unusual animal or because you feel that the animal needs your care. Unless you are a licensed wildlife caretaker you cannot care properly for a wild animal and those that think otherwise are most likely in need of some emotional counseling.

We must stop thinking that all the world has to offer is there to amuse us in some way. There are more than enough domesticated animals that need good homes so to reach into the wild for animal company is just not necessary.

The Xanax comment was kind of interesting. When the incident happened she had told the press about the Xanax. However, later when questioned by police she never mentioned the Xanax.

I know medications react very differently with me. What is supposed to put me to sleep will keep my mind racing all night. Xanax is anti anxiety. Who knows how it would react on an animal.

Mostly the animal attacks I hear about are abused animals.

Wild verses domestic? How long do animals need to be domesticated? Cats have been domesticated for thousands of years. Skunks only for a couple of hundred years. Skunks domesticated easily. That is my opinion and I will stand by it. some animals I doubt will ever be domesticated raccoons, monkeys, and apes to mention a few. Humans domesticated nicely lol.

Pet Monkeys

The question still remains - just because we can...should we?? And if the answer is yes - what gives us this right to oversee the lives of animals that are not yet domesticated - we do have the obligation to watch over those that are already unable to survive without our daily ministrations but when do we draw the line that enough is enough?

Read up on Exotic Pets Where is the line drawn? I have exotics as pets. I also have two cats that were feral kittens. Is it OK for me to have a pet skunk? How about a pet monkey? Maybe a pet tiger? What do YOU think??

Animals that can no longer manage in the wild are our responsibility, is how I see it. Domesticated pets, farm animals, wild animals born into captivity and feral creatures. I would like to see these creatures well cared for with a nice quality of life.

Animals that CAN manage on their own also need our help, but in this case to shepard their habitats and natural resources.

I personally would draw the line at species that encourage poaching wild things to become captives. This might mean not having parrots...I have to give this more thought. My family always had parrots, but perhaps that is really just a selfish decision. So many parrots are taken from the wild. I feel it's fine to keep birds born in captivity, but the nature of the trade only encourages the poaching, i think.

Anyway, it's something for me to think further on.

Parrots should not be taken out of the wild. However, there is certainly enough captive bred�s to supply the parrot people. A number of years ago it was near impossible to breed parrots in captivity. A lot has been learned since then. We need more effective means to stop poachers. More countries need to work together to preserve the wildlife we have left. Unfortunately, the heads of some of these countries are profiting from the poaching.
The habitat these animals live in needs to be preserved. So much is being lost. The polar bear�s plight was brought to light very well in the movie Earth.

"The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago... had they happened to be within the reach of predatory human hands." Havelock Ellis

Mostly I believe that we should tread carefully upon this earth that we have so abused. The earth was meant for all to share and by all that means the animals, plants and humans - in equality. I love that quote from Ellis and I agree with it whole-heartedly.

I agree with Jilly that the procurement of exotic pets often leads to habitat devastation and should be watched very closely. I have friends with parrots and they seem like they make great companions but do they need us to survive or are they surviving despite us - it is a conflicted subject.

Diana - I am glad you are here promoting responsible pet decision making.

I think many exotics are surviving despite us. Who has caused more problems to the environment? People who hunt monkeys as a source of food , people poaching for the pet trade, deforestation of millions of acres of habitat for these animals?

In many areas of the US a parrot wouldn't stand a chance living outside. However, in other areas people who didn't want their parrots anymore, or that lost their parrots they are forming large flocks in the wild. A long time ago we had parrots in the US but they are now extinct. Curious, if the accidental introduction of parrots into our ecosystem is a very bad thing or a somewhat good thing.

There are populations of parrots in Southern CA. I have not heard if they are breeding populations, or merely feral birds that have flocked together.

green amazon parrots

also,

Wild Parrots of Southern California

There is two parrot flocks in SF CA too

Wasn't there a book, something about parrots on telegraph hill in SF?

There was also a show broadcast on PBS back in 2007 on the The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill.