The Elephant in the Living Room

It feels like your heart is getting ripped right out of you when you see what happens. Almost as if you are right there. Even though the narrative is told mostly through an animal lover's perspective -- which seeks to restrict the ownership of exotic pets -- we also hear from those who think otherwise. He may be the subject of much condemnation on these boards, but Terry's dilemma with his pet lions really does articulate the position many owners of exotic pets find themselves in: they love the animals and would defend them with their lives, but a wild and dangerous animal taken out of its natural habitat poses a threat to all.

The sincerity of everyone involved in this film really does shine through. But the central character, Tim Harrison, comes across particularly as someone who genuinely cares about animals. It was Tim's authenticity that colored much of the material and it was the trust he fostered that made it possible to gain the kind of access needed to make this film.

Well worth your time to watch this even if you disagree with the premise.

What an eye-opener. I simply had no earthly idea what is going on with "exotic animals" in the United States. I mean WTF. Who in their right mind would keep wild animals as household pets? This needs to be outlawed in all 50 states. I applaud the effort made in the state of Ohio and all 49 other states need to follow suit - immediately. On top of my disbelief at the statistics of the number of lethal creatures there are in US households, I could hardly believe what the Amish are doing. They have one of the main sources for the purchase of these creatures that need to be living life in their own natural habitat. Not in homes where they can literally kill or maim a young child at any given moment because this has happened - repeatedly. Not a one time occurrence. There should be a law that if someone has this type of creature and the creature causes harm or death to a human, that person should be held liable and serve prison time. Period. I thank the producer for this documentary and opening my eyes as I plan to contact my local representatives to find out what the laws are where I live and if this practice is allowed, to petition to prohibit it. Permanently. Geesh. I wonder just how more mad humans can get. I mean mad in a mentally ill state. Good heavens people, this is what domesticated animals are for.

I can barely express how disgusted I am by what I saw in this documentary. Wild animals deserve to be free. Wild animals should not be bred for captivity, picture taking, or for people who have small appendages to "own". The person who has two lions in a horse trailer deserves to be severely fined and put in jail! The lions are laying in excrement, have no water, and have no food. This is just as bad as having a wild animal in a cement environment. The Lions obviously have no veterinary Care! Otherwise, how would four Cubs magically appear? Wild animals, especially large cats and primates, have no place in private ownership. Republican lawmakers, especially in texas, need to wake up and stop the abuse! Democrats already know that this is a really ignorant practice. I am a wildlife biologist by training and I'm just abhorred by this practice. Stop abusing wildlife!

I have been permanently altered by this documentary, one of the best animal and human relations films I have ever seen. Even two months after seeing it at the Sonoma International Film Festival, I keep reflecting on the many beautiful and heart-wrenching stories interwoven in this compelling and unbelievable tale of the lives of exotic animals and the people who buy and own them in the United States. It will open your eyes to the true cost of allowing exotic animals to be imported into our country. And the plight is not only for the animals but for the people who buy, love, and care (or try to care) for them. Compassion, courage, and candor are what make this movie so touching and real. You get more than just a passing glimpse into the lives of people affected by exotic animal ownership. You will come to love a real American hero, Tim Harrison, as he tries to walk the fine line between caring for both the animals and the people affected by the choices they make in becoming exotic animal owners. You will also be moved by the story of Terry, a man in Ohio who was given the gift of a lion cub one fateful day. What is so great about The Elephant in the Living Room is that the director, Michael Webber, clearly followed his heart in creating this film. Instead of a superficial story, he traveled all over the country painstakingly documenting and following the lives of some unique individuals and animals that you will never forget. Lambert the Lion will stay in my heart forever. Thank you for making this film, Michael!

This is a must-see for anyone concerned about animal welfare or the welfare of their community (which includes almost everyone!). We see exotic animal incidents from all over the country and closely follow a heart-breaking story of a man and his lions. Most people (including me until I saw this film) have no idea how easy it is to purchase exotic animals and simply keep them in your home as if they were no different from a dog or a cat. How is it possible that you need a license to keep a dog, but not an elephant? This film shows why it shouldn't be possible, and blows the lid off an industry that turns a blind eye to human and animal suffering.