Where the wild things are: Exotic pets of Cebu

Exotic pets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many opting for them as a unique and exciting alternative to the more common household pet. But what many people don’t realize is the danger that exotic animals face in the wild and the pet trade and how important education is in protecting these animals.

Exotics Team Cebu Inc. is the first legitimate non-profit organization in Cebu that aims to protect and conserve exotic wildlife through education.

Consisting of avid exotic pet hobbyists, wildlife farm permittees and those aspiring to be wildlife enthusiasts, it has been working to raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation and the threats that exotic animals face with local communities through its educational drives and programs.

Ruddi Russel Abad founded Exotics Team Cebu on Aug. 15, 2019, to make a difference and create a positive impact on the hobby by uniting the exotic pet keepers in Cebu under one banner to promote and educate people within and outside the hobby.

“Currently, Cebu is home to many pet groups, but none of them encourage exotic animals as pets. Keeping exotic pets was once taboo and unpopular with the general public. People caring for and nurturing exotic animals find integrating into society difficult,” Abad said.

The organization wanted to create a community where exotic pet owners and lovers may feel like they belong and have a place to call home where they can be understood and accepted.

Exotics Team Cebu Inc. started as a Facebook group until it registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-profit organization and it obtained a Bureau of Animal Industry professional animal show organizer permit and a wildlife farm permit. It has multiple partners and continues to open its doors to partnerships with various exotic farm owners.

“Protecting our local wildlife through education. That is our slogan this year when strengthening our advocacies as an organization for exotic animal enthusiasts,” Abad said.

“We are looking forward to partnering with private establishments, schools and government offices this year. Promoting the sustainable way of exotic pet keeping and at the same time protecting our local wildlife from unwarranted extermination due to a lack of understanding of these poor animals (are our goals).”

With a passion for the hobby, the organization strives to make innovations to provide education to the uninformed hoping to change perceptions toward exotic animals as pets. By providing educational outreach, it allows exotic pet owners and the public to learn how to properly care for these kinds of pets and prevent them from negatively impacting endemic wildlife populations.

These events include lectures, hands-on demonstrations and the distribution of printed materials that cover topics such as proper husbandry, prevention of unwarranted exterminations and assistance outside the organization’s circle of influence. The organization intends to expand this by building a safe community for all exotic pet enthusiasts and establishing relations with other parties that can help reach its goals.

“The main point that got me to join the organization is their mission to educate the public and promote the legal keeping of exotic animals,” Paulino Chiu, one of the organization’s partners, said.

”Exotics Team Cebu Inc. is a well-oiled engine. We have a lot of people with great experience and expertise that I believe can achieve the mission.”

Population levels have reached the point where forests are being converted into commercial living spaces, rivers into dams and mountain ranges into mines, invading spaces where these animals used to roam and live.

“Due to the lack of education about these creatures, people tend to kill them because of some old superstition, local medicines and even just because of what they are. Being well-informed about our local wildlife could save a lot of lives for both parties. That being our local animals and us human beings,” Abad said.

The organization wants the public to know that if they encounter these animals in the wild or in their homes, they should not take matters into their own hands and instead call the nearest local government office or the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.