Flat kangaroos in Florida highlight the issue of exotic pets

The stunning view of kangaroos descending down the busy St. Cloud Road made a headline last month. And for the animal sanctuary, which reminded us that ordinary people who own intrusive animals are not necessarily wise or clever.

“People blame people for getting what they probably shouldn’t,” said Kylie Reynolds, associate director of Amazing Animals, a nonprofit, exotic animal sanctuary in Osceola County, who helped capture and care for kangaroos discovered along the old Hickory Tree Road.

The amazing animal, she said, was founded 15 years ago as a reptile rescue to help “big needs” in Florida to consume Slithering’s former pet. Currently, the nonprofit has over 100 animals and consumes all kinds of exotic wildlife. Most of them are former pets.

On May 5th, the Sanctuary jumped over the St. Cloud road to call about the kangaroo, helping him corner him with some bushes. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Committee was able to chemically fix the animals. And the rescuer, named Hickory after the road where he was found, was taken to the incredible animal he spent the next 10 days.

Kangaroo owner Brian Stephen Castro Rendon, 27, told FWC officials who forgot to close the door to the animal enclosure after his friend fed him the day he ran away, records show. Rendon told the agency that he had acquired a New York kangaroo about a month ago.

The FWC has filed Rendon for a second-degree misdemeanor in connection with the kangaroo escape and failure to obtain appropriate state permit. He was also issued a warning that he had an enclosure that he was too small with fencing too low.

Rendon was allowed to re-custody the kangaroo on May 15th only after obtaining a larger enclosure with a double door entry system and surrounded by an 8-foot-high wire fence inspected by the FWC.

I called and Rendon hung up without commenting.

Pison, a trouble-causing species in South Florida, may be the state’s most problematic exotic pet. Snakes were first introduced in that trade in the 1970s and were then released into the wild by owners who no longer wanted them.

The amazing animals that began with snakes still deal with many reptiles.

“We’ve got a lot of calls for pythons and bearded dragons. They’re a little more work than people think,” Reynolds said. “Many times they grow up, spend a lot of time and have a lot of professional care that they can’t keep up or don’t want to do because they’re busy.

The sanctuary also features two bobcats, six sloths, lemurs, capybara, caracal, Jeffroy cats, raptors and three kangaroos. Rufus, a Red Kangaroo, a resident of Amazing Animals, was taken after another animal sanctuary was closed, and the centre then brought two baby kangaroos from another facility to keep him.

The FWC regulates exotic pets and owners must obtain a permit. This can cost as much as $140 a year and requires a log that records the animal’s experience.

There are 918 active exotic pet licenses statewide, with FWC show data, of which 91 are located in central Florida. Although the animal species vary, monkeys, skunks, raccoons and crocodiles are the most common, the data show.

When the kangaroos were discovered in St. Cloud, Reynolds’ group knew they were trying to calm the animals.

“They are very sensitive animals, so if you’re chasing them, you can fall from a heart attack, overheat, or feel stressed,” Reynolds said.

The astonishing animal workers also moved other animals around the facility to give the new kangaroos adequate save enclosures, so he will never run away again, she added.

Exotic animal owners need to ensure they understand state requirements, diet and veterinary needs before purchasing, Reynolds said.

“It’s very important to do your research… so that you can see the happiness of animals and what you really are into.”

Amazing Animals, located in St. Cloud on Rambler Avenue, is a dedicated facility, but offers tours that can be booked online. An hour and a half tour costs over $300, depending on the group size.