TWO dangerous wild animals are being privately kept in west Dorset – as a wildlife charity calls for the Government to change rules on keeping such creatures in private captivity.

Research reveals that two spectacled caiman, a breed of crocodile, are being privately kept in the area – the exact location has not been disclosed, or whether they are at the same address.

The Spectacled Caiman is found in various countries throughout South America, including Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela.

It comes as a new survey conducted by wildlife charity Born Free has revealed that nearly 4,000 dangerous wild animals are being privately kept in Great Britain.

It is calling on the Government to immediately review the law and put a stop to some of the world’s most remarkable, but often deadly, creatures being kept as ‘pets’ in unsuitable captive conditions.

Born Free’s research reviewed the number of Dangerous Wild Animal (DWA) Act licences granted by local authorities in 2020 across England, Scotland and Wales, and the variety of species being privately kept.

Currently under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, anyone in Britain can keep a dangerous wild animal as long as they obtain a licence from their local authority.

Dorset Council allows residents to apply for a licence to privately keep a wild animal via completing an application form.

The council’s website states the application process will check if you are a suitable owner, the location of the accommodation meets the required standards, the care for the animal meets the required standards and there is no safety risk and cannot escape.

If granted, the animal owner is required to pay a £296 licence fee and the licence will need to be renewed annually. As well as the licence fee, people may also incur additional vets fees to pay.

Other species on the DWA list that are being kept as pets or in private collections in the UK include zebras, camels, fossa, boars, wolves, and otters.

A spokesman for Born Free said that the Dangerous Wild Animals Act ‘has not been reviewed substantially for more than 40 years.’

Dr Mark Jones, veterinarian and Born Free’s head of policy, said: “It is unbelievable that, in this day and age, so many dangerous animals, including big cats, large primates, crocodiles and venomous snakes, are in private ownership in the UK.

“Increasing demand for all kinds of wild animals as exotic pets puts owners and the wider public at risk of injury or disease.

“It also results in serious animal suffering, and the demand increases the pressure on many wild populations which are often already under threat.”

He added: “The UK likes to claim to be at the forefront of efforts to protect nature and improve the welfare of animals, yet our legislation governing the keeping of and trade in exotic pets is woefully outdated.

“While the Government’s recent proposal to ban the keeping of and trade in primates as pets is a welcome first step, there are many other species that need to be protected from this form of exploitation.

“The Dangerous Wild Animals Act should be overhauled as a matter of urgency, in order to phase-out the private keeping of and trade in those species that clearly don’t belong in people’s homes.”