Flying squirrels do not make good pets.
Today the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced they have uncovered a transnational wildlife trafficking operation in Florida and that multiple arrests have been made. The crime involves poachers setting squirrel traps throughout Florida and capturing 3,600 flying squirrels who were exported to Asia through a trail by way of Chicago, Atlanta, and ultimately to South Korea, according to FFWCC.
In learning of this news, Kate MacFall, Humane Society of the United States Florida senior state director, released the following statement:
“Congratulations to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for uncovering the poachers who captured as many as 3,600 flying squirrels in central Florida to sell internationally in the pet trade. The public’s desire to keep wild animals as pets contributes to an industry plagued with cruelties. In both the legal and illegal wildlife trade, countless wild animals suffer greatly or die due to negligent treatment in the process of capture, at crowded breeder and dealer facilities, in transport, and ultimately possession by families who eventually become overwhelmed by the specialized level of care required. While FWC cracks down on poachers, we urge the public to choose dogs and cats as pets, not wild animals.”
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