In recent days, a small marsupial has been spotted roaming freely on Montreal’s South Shore, potentially escaping from illegal captivity, according to animal welfare activists and Quebec’s Environment Ministry. Videos capturing the elusive creature, believed to be a red kangaroo though its exact species remains uncertain, hopping around a field in Boucherville, Que., surfaced online on Friday. The incident sheds light on the issue of illegal exotic animal trade in Canada, as highlighted by Chamie Angie Cadorette from the animal protection agency Galahad SPCA.
Cadorette disclosed that online searches in Quebec reveal numerous listings offering exotic animals for sale, including declawed wildcats, monkeys for $9,000, and kangaroos for $6,000. The illicit trade of exotic animals is described as highly profitable, with an array of animals available for purchase.
Following a concerned citizen’s report, Galahad SPCA was alerted to the marsupial’s presence at a local horse stable where it was supposedly kept in inadequate conditions without the required permits. Authorities were informed, confirming that the animal was held illegally. Efforts to capture the stray marsupial were prompted due to safety concerns, particularly its proximity to a highway and the impending winter season.
While the marsupial is deemed non-threatening and not at risk, the public is advised to maintain a safe distance to safeguard its well-being, according to Daniel Labonté, a spokesperson for the Environmental Ministry. Despite readiness from animal rescue organizations to relocate the animal to a sanctuary, government authorization is pending.
Labonté mentioned ongoing assessments by the Environment Ministry to determine a safe capture plan, adhering to Quebec’s regulations prohibiting unauthorized capture of licensed animals. Cadorette emphasized the need for stricter enforcement against the black market trading of exotic animals, pointing out the lack of clarity regarding how these animals are brought into the region.
Calls for government action to combat exotic animal trafficking were reiterated by Cadorette, who raised concerns over the origins of these animals and the absence of transport licenses in Quebec. Requests for comments on the issue from the Environment Ministry were unanswered.
