Kudos to the USPCA in Northern Ireland for putting a stop to Norman Elder’s stunt of allowing the public to interact with the “pet” tiger at the dangerous animal pound in Benvarden. He hit the news after the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) evicted the keeper when photos of visitors stroking Sonya the tiger leaked onto the internet. I don’t think officers were overly impressed when one of them was struck and hospitalised by a van during Elder’s eviction.
What was then discovered is the most shocking of all. Four decapitated lions were unearthed at the pound, a former safari park, with their heads completely removed. Although the lions are reported to have been put down humanely, officials say there was no need for them to have been beheaded.
Captivity denies tigers’, and all animals’ for that matter, wild instincts and natural urges like seeking out mates, raising families and swimming – not to mention the denial of roaming over vast areas of land. Subjecting the tiger to a barrage of human interaction is a bit like lighting a fuse and expecting it not to blow. Using animals as photo props causes animal suffering and is hazardous to public safety. Basically it’s irresponsible to animals and people alike.
Image: BBC / Creative Commons
