Over 2,700 Dangerous Wild Animals Kept as Pets in UK Homes

A surge in private ownership of wild animals, including venomous snakes and wild cats, prompts calls for legislative overhaul.

More than 2,700 dangerous wild animals are currently registered to private owners in the UK, with wild cats being the most popular.
The Born Free Foundation has highlighted a troubling trend in the rise of wild animals kept as pets, driven by social media popularity.
Local authorities issued licenses for a wide range of dangerous animals, including over 200 wild cats, 250 primates, and 400 venomous snakes.
Incidents involving escaped wild pets, such as servals and savannah cats, have raised public safety concerns.
The Born Free Foundation is calling for stricter regulations on the domestic ownership of dangerous wild animals, citing public safety and animal welfare issues.