CapeNature has issued a stark warning about the increasing ownership of ferrets (Mustela furo) in South Africa, emphasising the potential environmental risks and health threats that come with their growing popularity.
Though relatively new to South Africa, ferrets are becoming a fashionable choice for pet owners who seek something different. For example, there are currently over 420,000 posts hashtagged #ferret on Tiktok and 2.4 million on Instagram.
Yet, CapeNature, the agency responsible for biodiversity conservation in the Western Cape, cautions that these animals - originally from parts of Europe - pose significant risks to indigenous wildlife and ecosystems.
Because ferrets have not been consistently kept as pets, such as dogs and cats, there is limited research available regarding the diseases they might carry. This lack of knowledge presents a challenge for veterinarians, as it becomes difficult to guarantee that ferrets are free of diseases.
Dr Ashley Naidoo, CEO of CapeNature, highlighted this issue, warning, 'The increase in pet ferret encounters in the Western Cape, sadly illustrates that people are importing, keeping, and or trading in ferrets without concern for the dire environmental risk that these activities pose.'
