PREDATORS, crocodiles and even wild boars are being kept by households and businesses throughout Hampshire.

Lions, wolves and deadly venomous snakes are among thousands of dangerous animals being kept on private properties in the UK, figures have revealed.

More than 100 councils across the country have given people licences to keep a host of deadly animals, including authorities in Hampshire.

In Winchester, the city council has approved licences for one ocelot as well as two dwarf crocodiles and three gila monsters – a type of venomous lizard.

Isle of Wight Council handed out a licence for one black and white ruffed lemur.

And Basingstoke and Dean Borough Council granted licences for 300 wild boar.

However, zoos such as Marwell Wildlife have separate licensing regimes.

The data was obtained by the Press Association who sent freedom of information (FOI) requests to every council in the UK, of which 363 replied. In Northern Ireland, the Environment Agency provided the figures for the whole country.

A spokesman for Winchester City Council said: ""(Applications are) inspected in accordance with the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 every two years by a specialist veterinary surgeon and the senior animal welfare officer.

"The inspection considers not only animal welfare standards but detail about public safety arrangements. The expertise and experience of the applicant are also taken into account."

Dangerous wild animals (DWA) licences are granted by councils to allow people to keep undomesticated animals as pets, providing they have the requisite safety measures at their home and pay a small fee.

The RSPCA said it was concerned that licences too often focus on protecting the public from harm, rather than on the well-being of the animals.

A spokesperson said: "We are deeply concerned about the number of exotic animals, including dangerous wild animals, now being kept as pets.

"People may buy them with little idea of how difficult they can be to keep and the animals are sometimes neglected when the novelty wears off and the commitment hits home.

"This is why we would encourage anyone thinking of getting an exotic pet to find out as much as possible about the animal’s needs and whether they’re a realistic pet."