Buzz
We often form fixed beliefs about animals and their habitats, potentially influenced by early education. But what if those preconceived notions about where wild animals can be found are mistaken?
We commonly associate elephants with Africa and Asia, koalas with Australia, and so on. Outside of zoos and private collections, animals found outside their native environments are often seen as pests—such as rabbits, feral cats, and stray dogs that have gone semi-wild, which aren't exactly exciting or unusual to encounter.
However, there are thriving populations of animals in many unexpected places. These creatures manage to survive, adapt, and even raise their families in unfamiliar surroundings. Here are ten species that have successfully made foreign lands their home, despite local resistance to their presence.
10. The Wild Genets of Europe
The genet is a charming little creature with a broad range found across many countries in Africa. Genets are quite common in Africa thanks to their adaptability, thriving in various environments. While there are several species of genet, only two can be found in Europe.
Genets were introduced to Southern Europe in the 12th century by the Saracens, who used them for rodent control before cats took over the job. These animals were semi-domesticated. Today, genets live in the wild across France, Italy, and Spain, where they are not seen as pests and continue to help manage rodent populations.
Though they may seem rare, genets are nocturnal and elusive, which makes them harder to spot. They may have spread beyond the officially recorded areas. So, if you haven't encountered one locally, it doesn’t mean they aren't there.
9. The Wild Wallabies of Scotland
Do you love wallabies but aren't ready to make the trip all the way to Australia? You're in luck! There's an island in Scotland where a group of wallabies has made their home and adapted well to the cool Scottish climate. These adorable creatures thrive in wallaby harmony on Inchconnachan Island, nestled within Loch Lomond.
The wallabies didn’t swim all the way from Australia, though that would have been cute—it was actually impossible. Instead, Lady Arran Colquhoun introduced them to the island in the 1940s. She had a summer home there and simply enjoyed watching the wallabies hop around as she spent her summer days in luxury.
There has been some debate about whether the wallabies are harming the native wood grouse population. Nevertheless, most people enjoy the wallabies' presence, and many visitors take boats to the island to see these unique animals in their new home.
8. The Wild Chamois and Tahr of New Zealand
A chamois (left above), not to be confused with the soft cloth for cleaning your car, is a small European goat-antelope that leaps around on mountain slopes. Weighing between 25 and 60 kilograms (55–132 lb), males tend to be larger than females. Found across the mountains of Europe, stretching all the way to Turkey, the chamois is abundant and generally harmless—just minding its mountain life.
A tahr (also spelled thar) is a large mountain goat from Asia. The Himalayan tahr (right above) hails from the Himalayas and has the healthiest population of the three tahr species. They weigh between 36 and 73 kilograms (79–161 lb), with males again being the larger of the two. These hefty, fluffy creatures have surprisingly small heads.
In the early 1900s, chamois and tahr were intentionally introduced to New Zealand's South Island, not for their beauty, but as game for hunters. New Zealand lacks native mammals suitable for hunting, so these two species were brought to the island’s mountainous regions. Both species have thrived, and hunting them is actually encouraged to manage their population.
7. The Wild Mongooses of the Caribbean
While “wild Caribbean mongoose” might sound like a drink Jack Sparrow would savor, it's actually a small, carnivorous creature. The mongoose is a feisty, meat-eating animal featured in Rudyard Kipling’s “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi,” a short story from The Jungle Book about a brave mongoose protecting a British family from cobras. The mongoose is fearless, battling and conquering snakes with ease.
“Mongoose” refers to 29 different species from the Herpestidae family, which are tough little predators found across Eurasia and Africa. These creatures have a broad distribution and are highly resilient, effectively defending themselves from threats. Put them anywhere, and they’ll likely survive.
In the mid-1800s, colonial powers introduced the mongoose to several Caribbean islands in a bid to manage rat populations on sugarcane plantations. While this worked, the mongooses (not mongeese) also raided bird nests and sea turtle eggs, making them more of an ecological problem than a solution.
6. The Wild Chitals of the US
The chital, also known as the axis deer or spotted deer, is a strikingly beautiful animal native to the Indian subcontinent. These deer can weigh over 100 kilograms (220 lb), with males sporting impressive antlers, making them popular targets for trophy hunters.
In 1932, chitals were introduced to Texas for hunting purposes. Initially kept in controlled environments, they eventually escaped and began breeding in the wild. Today, more than 6,000 wild chitals now compete with the native white-tailed deer.
Chitals appear to be more resilient than white-tailed deer, with their population steadily growing while the white-tailed deer numbers decline. Hunters are encouraged to target the chital, as there are no hunting limits or designated seasons for them.
5. The Wild Coatis of England
Coatis are often unknown to many, but they belong to the raccoon family and are native to the Americas. With their distinct, snout-like noses, they are intelligent, tree-dwelling omnivores skilled in digging for food.
Reports have surfaced of a breeding population of coatis in Cumbria, England. While the number is small and these clever, tree-climbing creatures aren't expected to significantly impact the environment, their growth could lead to competition with native wildlife for resources and habitats. It’s believed that the coatis in Cumbria are descendants of escaped exotic pets.
4. The Wild Zebras of the US
As the iconic symbol of the letter “z” in children's alphabets, the zebra needs no introduction. Known for their stubborn nature and difficulty in domestication, the wild zebras of California are no different in this regard.
They weren't always wild. Once belonging to the famous eccentric millionaire publisher William Randolph Hearst, they roamed the grounds of Hearst Castle. After Hearst's death, his exotic pets were either sent to zoos or released into the wild. The zebras seen today are the descendants of those freed in the 1950s.
Although they’re considered “wild,” the zebras inhabit an 82,000-acre ranch, so they’re not fully untamed. Still, they remain a fascinating sight.
3. The Wild Raccoon Dogs of Europe
The raccoon dog, also known as the mangut or tanuki, is a curious canine. Despite their resemblance to raccoons, they’re not closely related. These creatures hail from East Asia and are more closely linked to dogs and foxes than to raccoons.
Raccoon dogs are rapidly spreading across Europe thanks to their tough, adaptable nature. They can survive on trash and hibernate during the winter, often taking over badger setts as their sleeping spots. Even when not in hibernation, they can slow down their metabolism and go without food. They're like cute, furry cockroaches.
Originally introduced to the Soviet Union in the 20th century for fur farming, raccoon dogs quickly spread across Europe, becoming invasive pests in places like Denmark. There, they hunt birds and small animals, and they carry diseases like rabies that can be harmful to humans, despite their seemingly harmless, fluffy appearance.
2. The Wild Reindeer of Scotland
Reindeer aren’t just tied to Santa Claus and the North Pole; a herd of them also roams the Cairngorm mountains of Scotland.
The reindeer living in Scotland aren’t exactly wild, even though they roam freely. They are domesticated and friendly, with the males even capable of pulling carts. You can even take a tour to meet and feed these majestic creatures.
Reindeer tend to get sick in captivity, which is why they are far better off in the mountains, where they’ve been living since 1952. They have 10,000 acres to call home, with a secondary herd in the Cromdale hills to ensure the genetic diversity of the Scottish reindeer.
1. The Wild Northern Palm Squirrels of Australia
White colonials have truly had a significant impact on the Australian environment.
In the 1940s, the Western Australian Acclimatization Committee decided to introduce several familiar species to Western Australia in an effort to bring happiness. Among them was the northern palm squirrel, which quickly escaped from its zoo enclosures and never returned.
Despite facing severe food shortages in an environment far from their natural habitat, the squirrels continue to survive and even thrive in the Perth suburbs. Biosecurity officers are working hard to contain them within a 30-square-kilometer (12 mi) zone, but these persistent squirrels are increasingly being found in locations far outside that boundary.
Recent trapping efforts over the past couple of years have proven successful in significantly reducing the squirrel population in Perth.
