Meerkat-loving TikTok sensation Kyle Thomas, whose mother was prosecuted for smuggling a capybara, opens up about his incredible journey to animal rights ambassador – but admits building his own zoo is not so Simples…

As I reflect upon Kyle Thomas’s extraordinary journey from a carefree TikTok sensation to a dedicated animal rights advocate, my heart swells with admiration and respect. From his humble beginnings sharing videos of his exotic pet collection, to the tragic loss of Queen Elizabeth, his capybara, and the subsequent realization that he was not equipped to provide these magnificent creatures with the care they deserved, Kyle has shown an unwavering commitment to learning, growing, and making a positive impact.

16-year-old TikTok star, Kyle Thomas, initially saw his videos featuring his expanding exotic pet assortment alongside food critiques and comedic skits as innocent fun. His meerkats Mylo and Dorothy, marmosets Trisha and Freddie, and three rescued foxes were the first to gain attention on his platform. However, the criticism from animal rights activists escalated when Kyle shared photos of his pet capybara, Queen Elizabeth, donning a pumpkin hat and costume for Halloween. This marked the moment Kyle understood that his home was not adequately equipped to house his unique zoo.

The pivotal moment for Kyle occurred when a capybara passed away naturally in 2022, resulting in his mother Zena facing charges for illegally transporting it from England to their home in Northern Ireland. This event prompted Kyle to take action and establish his own wildlife park and exotic animal rescue center. As a result of his remarkable transformation from social media star to animal welfare advocate, his journey has been featured in the new BBC documentary titled “We Built A Zoo.

Kyle, who’s one of Britain’s top TikTok earners with 35 million followers at the tender age of 19 (posting up to 60 videos a week) and recently recognized in Forbes magazine’s yearly list of young entrepreneurs, shares a difficult truth. One day, he entered his home to feed his capybara before bedtime, only to find her having a seizure. He attempted to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and rushed her to the vet, but unfortunately, she passed away during transport. The vet informed him that he needed a permit to keep a capybara, which left Kyle puzzled and fearful about how to explain this unfortunate event.

We purchased Queen Elizabeth from an individual who dealt in animals and claimed to have a good reputation. They assured us she was from a zoo and had all the necessary documentation. They said a license wasn’t required for our purchase. I want to make it clear that our intentions were honest. What’s crucial is for people to understand the importance of researching before acquiring animals, especially exotic ones, as they are not suitable as pets. Unfortunately, that’s a lesson we had to learn ourselves.

‘One video that drew much criticism was mine featuring me dressing Queen Elizabeth in a cloak, which I didn’t initially perceive as problematic. However, the capybara episode served as an enlightening experience for me. It was particularly revealing to understand the negative aspects of the exotic pet trade, as it becomes clear that for some people, it is purely about financial gain.’

The documentary follows Kyle as he purchases a 14-acre plot of land with the aim of establishing his own sanctuary, yet unfortunately, he encounters difficulties due to opposition from neighbors and contentious media coverage. However, in January 2024, things start looking up for Kyle when local farmer and builder Phil Hughes steps in to help. The two collaborate to transform Phil’s petting farm into a top-tier animal sanctuary, providing a home for Kyle’s pets as well as other unwanted exotic animals.

The series, with a comparable atmosphere to Clarkson’s Farm, chronicles their journey as they construct habitats, educate themselves on various species, deal with regulations, call in expert veterinarians, and advocate for the termination of the illegal exotic pet trade.

To begin with, it’s important to establish a sanctuary for Kyle’s meerkats. I came to understand that meerkats aren’t suitable as pets. So, I traveled to South Africa and journeyed for eight hours into the Kalahari Desert to learn from Alma Celeste Stafford, who runs a rehabilitation center that saves them from the pet trade. Alma demonstrates the harsh reality of how, as part of the illegal pet trade, meerkats and other exotic creatures are enclosed in chicken wire mesh at four weeks old to conceal their presence from airport scanners. Consequently, they’re unable to breathe, eat, or drink.

Kyle finds himself utterly stunned upon receiving this news. It’s appalling, borderline psychotic. Given how young they were when I got my meerkats, I strongly suspect they originated from the UK. However, learning about their potential suffering leaves me feeling quite down. Now, at least, I can advocate for them and be their voice.

I’m traveling to wildlife preserves around the globe, engaging with conservation experts. It seems the illegal exotic pet trade is often hidden. I refuse to be associated with such a shady realm. Instead, my aim is to expose it and enlighten others about this issue.

Currently, our wildlife sanctuary, home to pythons, kunekune pigs, Yemen chameleons, Argentine tegu lizards, and various exotic tortoises among others, is now open for public visitation. Our intention behind this is to offer a unique opportunity where visitors can interact closely with these animals and their caretakers, fostering a personal connection.

‘There’s a lot more ground to cover yet. What was simply a petting zoo is now evolving into something with a greater purpose. We don’t aim to be experts ourselves, instead, we constantly consult with experts and continue learning. The journey may be long, but it’s filled with excitement.’

We Built A Zoo, Wednesday, 9pm, BBC3 and BBC iPlayer.

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2024-09-27 19:18