Lemurs and leopards among the exotic animals being kept on private properties in Norfolk
There are also camels and ostriches being kept in the county
Clouded leopards, black buck antelope and ruffed lemurs are among the dangerous and exotic animals being kept on private properties in Norfolk.
While most people are happy with a cat or dog as a pet, others seek out more unfamiliar animal companions.
Now, a Freedom of Information request has revealed the exotic beasts living in households across the region, including an ostrich and numerous wild cats.
Local authorities require owners of certain animals to apply for licences to keep them, which are renewed on a yearly basis under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act.
Generally, these animals will be wild cats, primates, wild dogs, certain pigs and marsupials, but dozens of other animals are included within in the act.
Separate licenses are issued for zoos.
The following Dangerous Animal Licences (DAL) have been issued in Norfolk:
- One in Breckland, covering two clouded leopards and one litter, as well as a male black and white ruffed lemur
- One in the Buxton area of Broadland, covering a wild boar and an ostrich
- One in North Norfolk for two camels and three tapirs
- One in West Norfolk for 25 black buck antelope, issued for the ward of Wissey, which includes areas around the villages of Barton Bendish, Boughton and Stoke Ferry
- Two in south Norfolk, one covering a savannah cat and serval cat in New Costessey and the other covering a serval cat in Cringleford
No licences are currently issued within Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Norwich City Council areas.
The number of exotic pets being held across the county appears to have fallen dramatically in recent years.
However, no Norfolk council has been forced to revoke a licence over concerns about premises between 2020 and 2023.
In 2020, West Norfolk had one licence for more than 100 animals, including 50 black buck antelope, 20 sitatunga antelope, 20 lechwe antelope, six bongo antelope, four tapirs, 10 oryx, 10 blessbock antelope, 10 waterbuck, 10 eland, 10 wildebeest and 10 zebra.