© Reuters / Sergio Moraes / Carlos Jasso / Muhammad Hamed
Crocodiles, bears, lions, apes, cobras and scorpions, as well as other large predators and poisonous creatures, are now the subject of a ban from being kept as pets in Russia, to safeguard the health of both 'owner' and animal.
Such beasts pose dangers to people, while apartments or country houses differ greatly from the natural habitats of the animals, a difference that "may affect their health negatively, even causing death," a new
act, signed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Friday, reads.
Large predators such as bears, wolves, lions, tigers, lynxes and others are among the species to benefit from the new protections. The ban also includes crocodiles and carnivore turtles, Komodo Dragons, bearded lizards and other reptiles. Also set to get a new lease on life are snakes such as cobras and pythons, as well as many poisonous arachnids, including scorpions and tarantulas.
Aquarium lovers should forget about putting sharks or manta rays in their household fish tanks from now on, with coral polyps also outlawed in the home. Penguins, pelicans, owls, falcons and some species of ostriches have been added to the list of birds banned from homesteads.
Comment: From earlier reporting on Professor Ridd in 2018: