FOLLOW-UP: Logan the wolf returned to exotic pet traders, City Times pays facility a visit

Logan, the Canadian Timber wolf temporarily kept at the Benoni SPCA to allow its owners Absolute Exotics SA time to improve the wolf’s enclosure, has returned home.

The Benoni City Times visited Absolute Exotics in Poplar Road recently to find out more about their rescue programme and their intentions of keeping Logan at their premises and not at a wildlife sanctuary.

The one-year-old male wolf was recaptured on January 3, on a farm in Marister after escaping its enclosure on New Year’s Eve when spooked by fireworks.

The wolf had only been at Absolute Exotics SA for a few hours on December 31 when it escaped.

During our visit, other animals housed on the premises include a Fennec fox, 20 different Marmoset monkeys, a brown tufted Capuchin monkey and another wolf named Bella.

Absolute Exotics SA founder Christo Myburgh said during Logan’s stay at the Benoni SPCA, they installed an electric fence around the wolf enclosure to secure the space.

“We have, so far, spent about R20 000 following his disappearance and capture. Logan forms part of our rescue programme and we do not intend to breed with him. Logan has been sterilised.

“Keeping him on our premises is not about money, but his wellbeing. We strive to promote a happy and healthy lifestyle for exotic animals that are kept as pets.”

Also Read: Search continues for a Canadian Timber wolf on the loose

Logan is on a raw meat diet, high-protein pellets and supplements specifically for predators kept in captivity.

“We do not allow our exotic pets to follow their instincts and attack other animals,” said Myburgh.

Shedding light on the second wolf, Bella, Myburgh said she is his personal pet he obtained around two years ago.

“Bella is not sterilised because it is quite expensive to sterilise a female wolf. We are not planning to get more wolves. However, if we do decide to bring other rescued wolves to the property, we might consider sterilising her.”

The general manager of Benoni SPCA, Jacques Cronje confirmed that Logan is sterilised.

Multi-million rand business
We asked him how popular was the acquisition of exotic pets locally.

Myburgh said it is very popular and a multi-million rand business despite the industry being quite small.

“We have a team of breeders in Gauteng, who supply to me and I supply the public.

“I personally breed Marmoset monkeys, which sell for R7 500 each. I don’t sell tigers or promote the keeping of tigers, but I do sell wolves.

“We don’t breed with animals placed in our rescue and rehoming programme but our network of breeders supply us with wolf puppies.”
His customers are wealthy and both young and old.

According to Myburgh, there is nothing wrong with the exotic pet trade.

“With time and effort, you can train a wolf as a pet. I believe the private sector can provide better care for exotic animals than sanctuaries. Sanctuaries and other animal NPOs rely on donations and struggle to keep things afloat.

“Sending a wolf to a sanctuary after being kept as a pet would not be ideal. They will struggle to join the pack of wolves and it would not be fair. Exotic animals kept as pets, get human interaction and special care as opposed to being among hundreds of other animals.”

Myburgh said he was planning on drafting a petition to push the government not to ban animal trade in future but to implement guidelines to help exotic pet lovers provide better care for their animals.

Background
Absolute Exotics SA started in 2020 as an information hub on how to look after marmoset monkeys.

“I got my first monkey when I was 17 and struggled to find information about these animals.

“After identifying a need for this, I decided to turn the hub into a website to help other people who own monkeys. We officially registered the business last year. To date, we have published over 400 informative articles.”

Before opening his business, Myburgh previously worked at a coffee shop and as a caregiver at a frail care centre.

Also Read: UPDATE: Exotic pet consultants to take wolf back