The stress of repeatedly handling wild animals often has a detrimental effect on the health and welfare.
Young animals such as lion and tiger cubs are often removed from their mothers at a very early age and used as photographic props until they are too large to handle, at which time they may be sold or killed and replaced with a new cub.
Wild animals used as photographic props are frequently drugged by immobilizers, which has serious implications for their health. Drugs may be concealed in props such as baby’s bottles.
Many potentially dangerous animals reportedly have their mouths wired shut , or are chained so tightly that they are barely able to move for many hours at a time.
Many animals, particularly big cats, are declawed in order to protect human participants. Declawing is a painful surgical procedure in which not just the nail but a portion of bone is removed; in some cases tendons are also severed. Declawing is illegal in many countries as it often results in chronic pain and permanent lameness.
The canine teeth of some animals may also be removed for the safety of handlers and participants. This is a painful procedure which can cause chronic health problems. As with declawing, the removal of canine teeth in large carnivores and primates has been banned by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Humans can contract many serious diseases from handling wild animals. Outbreaks of E. coli have been traced to petting zoos. In 2002, 2 out of 11 petting zoos selected at random in the USA tested positive for E. coli.
BAN THE USE OF WILD ANIMALS IN PHOTOGRAPHIC PROPS
The stress of repeatedly handling wild animals often has a detrimental effect on their health and welfare.
Young animals such as lion and tiger cubs are often removed from their mothers at a very early age and used as photographic props until they are too large to handle, at which time they may be sold or killed and replaced with a new cub.
Wild animals used as photographic props are frequently drugged by immobilizers, which has serious implications for their health. Drugs may be concealed in props such as baby’s bottles.
Many potentially dangerous animals reportedly have their mouths wired shut , or are chained so tightly that they are barely able to move for many hours at a time.
Many animals, particularly big cats, are declawed in order to protect human participants.
Declawing is a painful surgical procedure in which not just the nail but a portion of bone is removed; in some cases tendons are also severed. Declawing is illegal in many countries as it often results in chronic pain and permanent lameness.
The canine teeth of some animals may also be removed for the safety of handlers and participants. This is a painful procedure which can cause chronic health problems. As with declawing, the removal of canine teeth in large carnivores and primates has been banned by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Humans can contract many serious diseases from handling wild animals. Outbreaks of E. coli have been traced to petting zoos. In 2002, 2 out of 11 petting zoos selected at random in the USA tested positive for E. coli.
Sincerely,
