Every year, an estimated 300 million animals are illegally imported into the United States to be sold as exotic pets. It is a multi-billion dollar industry, second only to weapons and drugs on the black-market.
During the capture and transport process, the mortality rate for these animals is high, as many die from suffocation, stress, and shock. Removing these animals from their natural habitat disrupts the delicate balance of these ecosystems, setting forth a series of events compromising wildlife populations, and altering the environment in irreparable ways.
In addition, when the novelty of an exotic pet wears off, or their highly specialized care becomes too much of a commitment, they are often abandoned and released into the environment. Without a chance for rehabilitation, many succumb to the elements. For those that survive, if no natural predators exist, they can quickly become invasive. This poses a threat and potential fatality to native species, who may lack defense mechanisms for the foreign intruder––unable to compete for food and other resources. This aggressive takeover alters the multitude and diversity of species native to the habitat, changing the biosphere and introducing new vulnerabilities to the ecosystem.
Most of these exotic animals retain their natural instincts, behaviors, and dietary attributes––even those captivity bred, remain wild. It is infeasible to replicate their natural habitat, as their needs for preservation are highly specialized and discriminating. From self-destructive feather plucking in birds, to metabolic bone disease in reptiles, the majority of medical issues they face stem from an inability to accommodate their psychological, biological, and nutritional needs.
Without proper care, these animals are experiencing compromised lives marked by unnecessary disease and distress. “Displaced” is a look at the efforts of The Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine in NYC, as they tend to these delicate animals who have been removed from their natural habitats and transplanted into a foreign environment.
An African Grey is boarding at the center while its owners are on vacation.
Pearl, a morning dove, undergoing her physical exam.
Preparing lunch for a Russian Tortoise.
Keeping vigil.
The OR
A surgical glove filled with warm water, maintains an Egyptian Uromastyx lizard's temperature post surgery.
Anthony, an Amazon parrot, waking up after a tumor removal.
Anthony's 4th tumor removal, raises the question if his condition would have existed in the wild.
An adolescent herring gull undergoing surgery for a damaged wing.
Amputated wing.
A European Uromastyx lizard's x-ray, reveals plastic foreign material he ingested by accident.
Decision making.
A Sugar Glider in intensive care.
A Chinese Water Dragon on a leash waits for his exam.
A green parrot boarding at the Avian and Exotic Medical Center while his owners are away on vacation.
Perished pets.
Grounded.
A technician demonstrates the home treatment procedure for a Banana Ball Python.
A McCaw with feather destructive disorder.
Failed resuscitation of a Yellow Bearded Dragon.
Removing scutes from a Red-Eared Slider.
Beak trim.
At rest.
WITH GRATITUDE
Thank you to The Avian and Exotic Center in NYC, for their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts on behalf of all the pets that pass through their doors. They facilitate the rehoming of abandoned exotic pets, and are continually educating the public in hopes of cultivating a better understanding of the requirements involved in caring for these delicate creatures. They are compassionate stewards of the exotic animal kingdom, and I'm grateful to them for their openness, and for granting me access to their facility and work methods. I thank them for their trust and confidence in my efforts to try and effectively communicate all that they do.
DISPLACED Every year, an estimated 300 million animals are illegally imported into the United States to be sold as exotic pets. It is a multi-billion dollar industry, second only to weapons and drugs on the black-market. During the capture and transport process, the mortality rate for these...
WITH GRATITUDE Thank you to The Avian and Exotic Center in NYC, for their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts on behalf of all the pets that pass through their doors. They facilitate the rehoming of abandoned exotic pets, and are continually educating the public in hopes of cultivati...
