UPDATE: SPCA to conduct inspection on anaconda that went missing in Phoenix
The SPCA have urged people not to keep wild animals as pets...
After his anaconda, Medusa, escaped, Preesen Nair from Phoenix was quite distraught. And understandably so. Luckily, Medusa was found safe and sound and is back home with Preesen and his family of reptilians and other pets.
However, the escape has created some concern for SPCA.
"The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has warned the public against keeping wild animals as pets after the recapture of an escaped pet anaconda." (IOL)
As much as residents were on their feet feeling uneasy when Medusa was on the loose, the fact of the matter is that she was just as afraid being in uncharted territory.
"The NSPCA said the escaped snake would have had to fend for itself in a habitat that it was unfamiliar with, which placed it at risk of injury, disease and death - all of which could have been avoided had it not been “condemned to be part of the cruel pet trade since its birth”." (IOL)
They also urged people not to keep wild animals as pets, as they believe that these animals are better off in the wild in their respective habitats.
The team will therefore be doing an inspection to check in on Medusa, and check in on her condition after her ordeal. The team did reach out to Preesen for a comment after Medusa was found, but he was not comfortable speaking about it to us.
Check out more from East Coast Radio
People on social media were not happy. Some of them shared their thoughts below.
Angela Brinkley said: “And then the poor animal would have to go back to its little glass prison to live like that for the rest of its miserable life. But there are animal 'lovers' that keep snakes.”
Sihle Nkosi: said “Sad because some people keep them in very tiny glasses. I see now that most black people are adopting to this culture, this other guy kept his snake in a small dark box. It’s sad. Even keeping that pretty bird in a cage is wrong!” (IOL)
Image Courtesy of Preesen Nair