‘Cute’ animal videos fuel demand for exotic pets

‘Cute’ online videos of parrots, big cats, reptiles and even ornamental fish are helping to normalise wild animals in homes, as UK Border Force seizures of illegal wildlife continue to rise.

New research from IFAW and YouGov shows this content is still driving demand, with 57% of UK exotic pet owners saying likes and shares increase interest in wild animals as pets, while 18% continue to engage with this content every week.

The data also points to a clear gap between what people recognise and what they actually do. While many acknowledge the role social media plays in driving demand, behaviour has been slower to change. The research also highlights confusion around ownership rules, with more than half unsure whether a licence is required, and among those who knew, the majority did not have one.

Ros spoke to Christian Plowman, wildlife cybercrime program manager at IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)

Photo by Erik-Jan Leusink on Unsplash