Briana Urena

Source #2: Vice, director. An Inside Look at the Exotic Animal Trade: Profiles by VICE. YouTube, YouTube, 19 May 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSQ8blCdAtA. Accessed 26 Oct. 2022.

Summary: Wild life trafficking worldwide has estimated to be a 19 billion dollar business. It has become a national security issue and  a worldwide issue that needs to be solved. Criminal networks are profiting in the death of a lot of exotic species. In the wildlife trade, people want profit. They’ll do anything in order to sell these animals and if that means treating them like merchandise and abusing them, They will. Exotic animals like Tigers, chimpanzees, bears, lions, etc are are being housed as pet’s when they are simply not. It doesn’t matter if you raised them or they seem to “like you”, these animals will act on their natural instinct. It’s dangerous plain and simple.These animals are bred in captivity for many years and are sold to people who have no idea or no ability how to provide for them. A tiger shown in the video, lived in a circus her whole life in a cage that was only 5 foot by 7! Exotic cats are being bred in puppy mills and being sold cheaply on the internet. Some tigers are even being sold for only $25. At exotic animal auctions across the United States, Animals are sold to the highest bidder regardless of qualifications, intended use, or other animal welfare and public safety concern. These auctions take place in countries that don’t have a law against the sale of endangered species or the buying and selling of exotic animals.  How did these species get into the United States? How are these animal’s bred? A lot of people wanna have something that’s “rare” but don’t know the consequences. Too many people are getting these animals not aware of how big and dangerous they can get. Not only that, the animal’s suffer their whole life because they’re trapped in cages and not provided with the proper care.

Key Quotes: 

  • “There are more big cats in private hands than there are in the wild now.”
  • “If you have one of these creatures, you need to consider more than just the pride of ownership. It’s a life”

 Quote sandwich: 

“There are more big cats in private hands than there are in the wild now.” A man being interviewed said. I have chosen this quote because it shows the reality of these animal’s being taken away from natural homes and put into captivity. These animal’s are not pets. Tiger’s, bears, chimpanzees, are dangerous animals. Yes they are cute but It’s not right to take them away from their true environment. They will not be happy and its endangering them. People who buy exotic animals aren’t even knowledgeable or educated on their proper care. These animal’s suffer in human hands.

Rhetorical Analysis:

The purpose of this video was educate the public on the dangers of buying exotic pets. They explained what underground pet trades were and why we need to stop them. The video was very informal as they interviewed people in the business and rescue shelter’s.  The man being interviewed  warned everyone that these are dangerous animals and they’re not meant to be pets. He explained his experience working in a rescue shelter and what these animal’s have been through. It was eye opening.