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Reading Response Assessment Exercise

The passage does not provide any information about the exotic pet trade specifically in Malaysia. The passage discusses the exotic pet trade in general terms, focusing on statistics and issues regarding the trade in the United States. It does not mention Malaysia or compare the situation there to what is described for the US. Therefore, based solely on the information given in this passage, there is no evidence to judge whether the exotic pet trade is a serious issue in Malaysia or not. The passage does not contain any details related to Malaysia that could be used to explain if it is a problem there or not.

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36 views

Reading Response Assessment Exercise

The passage does not provide any information about the exotic pet trade specifically in Malaysia. The passage discusses the exotic pet trade in general terms, focusing on statistics and issues regarding the trade in the United States. It does not mention Malaysia or compare the situation there to what is described for the US. Therefore, based solely on the information given in this passage, there is no evidence to judge whether the exotic pet trade is a serious issue in Malaysia or not. The passage does not contain any details related to Malaysia that could be used to explain if it is a problem there or not.

Uploaded by

Are Fiq
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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READING RESPONSE ASSESSMENT

Inside the Exotic Pet Trade

The practice of importing and exporting wild animals as pets has been happening for
decades, and often, entertainment fads determine which wild animals are the pets du jour.
Everything from the smallest reptile to a full-grown tiger can be sold to anyone for the right
price. However, most owners don't realize the huge responsibility they are inheriting when
they purchase exotic pets, and there's rarely a happy ending for the animal. Just how does
the exotic pet trade work, and what happens to these animals when the novelty wears off?

According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the exotic pet trade is a multi-
billion dollar industry, second only to drugs and weapons on the black market. It's a $15
billion dollar business in the United States alone, with breeders and dealers selling animals
over the Internet or in trade magazines. Millions of animals are forced into the exotic pet
trade every year for the purpose of becoming someone's pet or entertaining the masses in a
circus or roadside zoo.

While some wild pets have been bred in captivity, many exotic animals are plucked directly
from their native habitats. The stress of being violently removed from their homes causes
some animals to die before they ever reach a private residence. The American Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reports that infant animals are the most
desirable and earn dealers the largest profits. Poachers will often kill the protective mother
first so that it's easier to capture the young. Although baby animals might be cute and easy
to maintain, they usually grow into dangerous adults with unmanageable needs. The ASPCA
explains that many exotic animals will travel several miles a day in the wild, so life in a
domestic environment isn't going to satisfy their natural desires. Additionally, as exotic
animals grow, their needs for food and space increase -- sometimes astronomically. When it
gets to that stage, the once-loved pets often end up in cages where they are neglected or
abused. The HSUS reports that it's not unusual for exotic pets to be malnourished and
stressed; they also tend to develop behavioral issues that can lead to bites and attacks.

Owning an exotic pet comes with some real health implications, too. According to the HSUS,
all reptiles and amphibians carry salmonella, and more than 74,000 cases of salmonella
poisoning are linked to these pets each year in the United States alone. Exotic pets like
monkeys and African rodents often carry viruses like herpes B, monkey pox and rabies, all of
which are highly infectious and potentially fatal to humans.

There's also an important environmental factor to consider. Removing wild animals from
their natural habitats -- like the rainforest or African plains -- negatively affects the delicate
ecosystems, which, according to the ASPCA, rely on those species to further the life cycle of
plants and keep animal populations in check.

There are several federal laws that prohibit the selling and interstate transfer of certain
exotic animals in the U.S. These include the Captive Wildlife Safety Act, the Wild Bird
Conservation Act and the Endangered Species Act. Additionally, many states have
restrictions on the ownership of exotic pets. According to the ASPCA, these laws vary greatly
from state to state and can range from total bans to simply requiring a permit. Globally, the
Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna
regulates the import and export of endangered species. In a slightly different vein, animal
welfare organizations like the HSUS have established groups like the Species Survival
Network to promote wildlife protection and educate the public about the dangers of exotic
pet ownership. However, despite these laws and humanitarian efforts, the exotic pet trade is
still a booming business.
Adapted from http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/fatal-attractions/lists/facts-exotic-pet-
trade.htm

Based on the passage above, respond to the following question. Write a reading
response of about 150 words.

Is the exotic pet trade a serious issue in Malaysia? Explain further.

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