The alligator: an often unwilling and unhappy symbol of Florida
February 16th, 2007 by admin
Alligators are part of what makes Florida unique. Unfortunately, they are too often cruelly exploited as props symbolizing our state.
When the University of Florida football team played in the national championships in Arizona, someone brought a live alligator to the festivities outside the stadium. Media coverage of the event showed an alligator, with his mouth taped shut, being carried through the crowd, pausing once in a while for photos with screaming fans.
This week, the Orlando Convention & Visitors Bureau brought live alligators to freezing New York City for a media stunt to promote tourism. A few unfortunate flamingos were also brought to the city, but at least they weren’t wrestled like the alligators. Fortunately, PETA activists protested the cruel display. A PETA spokesperson explained, “Wrestling alligators is out of place anywhere in modern society, let alone in the middle of Times Square. If this is the best that the Orlando Tourist Board can come up with, New Yorkers should let them know that they oppose cruelty to animals by going to Miami instead.”
Please contact the Orlando Convention & Visitors Bureau and urge them not to include live animals in future promotions.
Contact:
Gary Sain, President
Orlando Convention & Visitors Bureau
Phone: (800) 972-3304
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