Animal “encounters” dangerous to the public, bad for animals
December 23rd, 2011 by admin
At Dade City’s Wild Things (a.k.a. Stearns Zoological Rescue), a “sanctuary zoo” in Pasco County, baby tigers, monkeys and other animals are shoved into the arms of one paying customer after another for photographs and swimming sessions.
During a USDA inspection at Dade City’s Wild Things on July 27, 2011, an inspector noted that a member of the public was bit “during a close encounter with a 1 year old macaque.” The facility was issued a citation for noncompliance with the Animal Welfare Act. When the inspector returned on September 14 for a repeat inspection, they found more problems. According to the report, “During the tiger swim session the cub was reluctant to move to the edge of the pool and the handler pulled him by the leash. The cub was later passed from the side of the pool to the handler inside the pool and the cub was apparently under distress by vocalizing and moving around when handled inside the pool in apparent discomfort. After swimming for a short distance the cub swam towards the handler located at the pool wall and extended his paws towards the edge of the pool apparently wanting to get out of the pool. Instead of pulling the cat out of the water and stopping the encounter the handler decided to continue with the swimming.” The inspection report concluded, “Young cubs should not be handled in a manner so it would be forced to perform any interaction that it doesn’t want in order to prevent unnecessary discomfort and/or behavioral stress.” The facility was issued another citation.
One of the main reasons that groups like Preservation Station and the Zoological Wildlife Foundation (see above post) continue to breed big cats is that photo ops, play sessions and other public appearances with cubs are money-makers.
Avoid tourist attractions and traveling exhibits that use baby tigers or other animals to sell photo souvenirs or that in other ways promote direct contact between captive wildlife and the public. Never pay to see a “rare” liger or white tiger. The cruel and unnecessary breeding of these animals will only stop when the public stops paying to see them.