Animals with “Insatiable Appetites” Should Not Be Released into the Wild

Thinking of doing a good action by releasing domestic animals in the nature, such as red fish for example, people do not realize the consequences that this can have on the environment in which they are released. To make it short, it's anything but a good idea.

And it's not normal.

Translation : “The goldfish of our pet store after two years in nature:“ Call me megalodon ”. This goldfish is not supposed to be here. But someone relaxed him, thinking of being kind. Instead, he has created an invasion problem that can last decades. Red fish become enormous in nature, where they can transform lakes and streams into a real shambles, steal food from native fish and harm the quality of the water. If you can't keep your fish, find it another house. But do not leave him in freedom»

But then how are red fish in particular are considered an invasive species?

Questioned by Popular ScienceSara Ricklefs, executive director of theInvasive Species Action Network explained the reasons for this classification.

“” “These are general animals and therefore do not have many restrictions on food or housing. [ndr, contrairement aux espèces endémiques de certains cours d’eau par exemple] Red fish are robust, capable of persisting in the environment both in terms of temperatures and water quality”.

In other words, wherever they are reintroduced if it is a course or an extent of fresh water, they will be able to make a place of choice by invading the premises and depriving the other species of their sources of food.

Especially since red fish are considered to have a “limitless appetite” according to the specialist and that they can, as shown in the photo above, reach gigantic sizes and therefore create much greater food needs.

How to separate from your pet?

Whether it is a cat, a dog, a hamster, a snake or red fish, you should not release your pets in nature. If the reasons mentioned above make it possible to have a first reason for why it should not be done, there is another.

Indeed, your animals which, often, have accompanied you from an early age are not at all used to living in the great outdoors. Their food is served in an already transformed bowl without them needing to hunt, they often sleep inside the house and are therefore not used to external climatic conditions. And above all, they got used to your presence. Without you, they are lost.

So if you have to make the decision to abandon your pet, do it in the rules at the risk of exposing yourself to sanctions for animal cruelty (up to 2 years in prison and 30,000 euros fine).

Thus, contact the SPA refuge closest to you so that your pet can benefit from a certain comfort while a new family can welcome it. Please note, the Protective Society of Animals will not necessarily be able to accommodate your old companion due to its size or nature.

However, you can find advice so that this separation is done in the rules and that it is the least hurtful for the animal and for you. But above all, do not release your animals in the great outdoors.

Source : Popular Science / SPA