BBC under fire from leading animal charities over performing wild animal use
The BBC faces questions from three leading animal charities in the run up to the launch of a new drama series “Our Zoo”. Campaigners from the Born Free Foundation, The Captive Animals’ Protection Society (CAPS) and Wild Futures have raised concerns over the use of performing wild animals in the production of the programme, hired from a company which was exposed in recent years for providing UK-born lion cubs to an overseas circus. The organisations say that the publicly-funded BBC should not support the “outdated and cruel practice of using wild animals such as monkeys and bears for entertainment” and is calling for an immediate review of the Corporation’s policy and practices relating to animal use.
The production, which tells the story of the establishment of Chester Zoo, involved entertainment company Amazing Animals in providing the animals for the six part series. Amazing Animals was exposed by CAPS in recent years for taking on four white lion cubs from UK zoo, West Midland Safari Park, and then sending them to join a Japanese circus, where they remain to this day.
As the first episode airs on the evening of the 3rd September, using animals from the circus-linked company, a debate will be being held in Parliament on the subject of wild animals in circuses. Campaigners and Parliamentarians hope that the debate will result in a firm date being placed upon the implementation of a ban on the practice in England; an initiative supported by 95% of respondents to a 2010 Government public consultation on the matter. A spokesperson for the charities said that the BBC’s endorsement of the use of wild animals for entertainment purposes and doing business with a company which supplies animals directly to the circus industry is “a betrayal of the public, who have for so long called for this cruel practice to be stopped”.
It is widely agreed by leading animal welfare charities and experts that the use of wild animals in the wider entertainment industry is detrimental to both animal welfare and public attitudes to animals. In addition, it is increasingly acknowledged that the use of animals in the media can trigger trends in exotic pet ownership; resulting in animals wholly unsuitable to life in a domestic environment being kept as pets.
Said Liz Tyson, Director of the Captive Animals’ Protection Society:
“The use of wild animals in entertainment is both cruel and unnecessary. That the BBC has used the public’s licence fees to fund this outdated practice, and furthermore fund a company which was the target of recent public outrage for shipping four young lion cubs to an overseas circus, is shocking”.
Adam Roberts, Acting CEO of the Born Free Foundation, said “The BBC has a global reputation for quality programming. If it wishes to retain that reputation it must move with the times and adapt to changing attitudes. The use of captive wild animals for entertainment is now widely regarded as unethical among the British public, and we are convinced that a lifetime of training, transport, and performance puts the welfare of the animals at significant risk.”
Rachel Hevesi, Director of Wild Futures, added: “Wild Futures sees the impact of the inappropriate portrayal and use of animals in the media every day. Our sanctuary in Cornwall is home to monkeys rescued from the UK primate pet trade. Every monkey that arrives at the Sanctuary has serious psychological, and often physical, problems. This is not caused by deliberate cruelty, but by a lack of understanding of the needs of a wild animal. Owners have frequently been inspired to purchase by seeing monkeys in films or on television and research has shown that this portrayal also creates a false impression of the conservation status of a primate.”
The charities have established an online petition and are encouraging members of the public to join the call for action.
Britain has a reputation for being a nation of animal lovers and the BBC is seen as symbolic of British values. The charities encouraged the BBC to take the opportunity to examine these values in light of modern mores and scientific knowledge.
An immediate review to establish the extent of wild animal use in BBC productions is “the utmost priority as an initial step” said a spokesperson, who added that all of the charities were keen to establish dialogue with the BBC to help them to design an “animal-friendly future”.
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How you can help:
1. Sign and share our petition to call upon the BBC to end its use of performing wild animals in future productions
2- Write a polite complaint to the BBC and ask them to end their use of performing wild animals
Notes to Editors:
Release date: 29th August 2014
About Wild Futures
Wild Futures (Charity reg. No. 1102532) is an educational and environmental charity promoting the welfare and conservation of primates and working to end the abuse of primates in captivity. Its flagship project, The Monkey Sanctuary, in Cornwall, is home to victims of the primate pet trade. The Monkey Sanctuary is the only Sanctuary in Europe accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) and is a founder and board member of EARS (European Alliance of Rescue Centres and Sanctuaries). Drawing on 50 years of primate expertise, Wild Futures acts as an advisory body to sanctuaries and conservation organisations in the UK and overseas and advises DEFRA on UK animal welfare legislation.
For more information, pictures or details, contact:
Cordelia Britton,
Tel; 0844 272 1271
www.wildfutures.org