Abstract: This talk surveys the rise of exotic petkeeping in America in the mid-twentieth century and the industry that grew up around it. In particular, I discuss the self-proclaimed "Monkey King of New York," Henry Trefflich, the bombastic "baboon tycoon" who dominated the exotic pet industry for over four decades until his 1978 death. I also delve into the culture of exotic petkeeping that was born in this era. Groups like the Long Island Ocelot Club and the Simian Society of America started in the late 1950s to advocate for exotic petkeeping and to educate pet-owners on best practices.
Bio: Barrie Blatchford is assistant professor of global environmental history at the University of Northern British Columbia. His work focuses on the historical human-animal relationship in North America, from the environmental and cultural meanings of introduced animal species to the dynamics of the exotic pet industry.