Wildlife Crime Unit

Exotic Species in the Wild

Over the years many species which do not normally live in the wild in Britain have been deliberately released here and many of these now have established populations in the wild. This can have a serious impact on our own wildlife as these animals are often more successful than similar species already living here, and a number of previously common British wild animals are now threatened by the presence of exotic species which compete with them for the habitat and food supplies in the area.

The Grey Squirrel, from North America, is probably the best known exotic species living in the London area, but there are many others including Muntjac Deer from South East Asia, Red-eared Terrapins and Bullfrogs from the USA and Ring-necked Parakeets from India. In 2000 the Metropolitan Police and London Zoo even caught a Lynx which was roaming free in North London. Many of the terrapins and bullfrogs are examples of household pets which were deliberately released by their owners when they became too big or too difficult to look after. This is against the law, as in Britain it is an offence to deliberately release any species which does not normally live here.

How You Can Help

If you are thinking of buying an exotic pet make sure that you know as much as possible about how to care for it, how large it will grow etc., before you buy. If you have an exotic pet which you are unable to keep any longer please contact a reputable animal welfare organisation like the RSPCA who may be able to help to re-home it. Remember, it is against the law to release it.