Giant Plucked ‘Goose’ to Deliver the Lowdown on Down Outside Retailer Expo

PETA Hopes to Ruffle Buyers’ and Sellers’ Feathers to Expose Cruelty to Birds 

For Immediate Release:
July 30, 2013

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

Salt Lake City – People arriving at the Outdoor Retailer expo at the Salt Palace Convention Center on Wednesday will be greeted by a PETA member dressed as a giant half-plucked goose holding a sign that reads, “Plucked Alive.” The semiannual expo is the largest of its kind in the country and includes more than 150 exhibitors—including giants such as The North Face and Patagonia. It drew nearly 27,000 people last year.

When:   Wednesday, July 31, 12 noon

Where:  Outdoor Retailer expo, Salt Palace Convention Center, 100 S.W. Temple, Salt Lake City

The battered bird wants companies that would never think of selling fur to reconsider carrying sleeping bags, jackets, gloves, pillows, and comforters filled with down because of the suffering of birds who are often repeatedly—and painfully—plucked alive for their feathers. Other PETA supporters will hold signs that read, “Feathers Ripped Out,” and include photos from an investigation of the down industry.

PETA encourages shoppers to check labels for synthetic down, down alternative, polyester fill, or high-tech fabrics such as PrimaLoft® and Thinsulate™—soft, washable, down-like fibers. In most cases, these are a superior option for climbers and campers, as down loses much of its insulating properties when it gets wet.

“Down is a product of cruelty to birds,” says Alicia Silverstone in a PETA video exposé. She offers a behind-the-scenes view of the down industry, showing how millions of geese and ducks are “violently plucked bloody for their feathers” while they’re still alive—a traumatic and painful experience. A broadcast-quality version of PETA’s video exposé featuring Silverstone can be downloaded here. Her video interview can be downloaded here.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.