PETA Statement: American Humane’s New Documentary “Escape from Extinction”

For Immediate Release:
October 12, 2020

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

Below please find our statement from PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange on American Humane’s new documentary Escape from Extinction:

An investigation by The Hollywood Reporter chronicled American Humane’s (AH) history of alleged cover-ups, glaring conflicts of interest for accepting payment from the very productions that it’s supposed to be monitoring, and notorious failure to protect animals used in the entertainment industry. The group has also awarded its “No Animals Were Harmed” stamp of approval to films and TV shows even though injuries, suffering, and deaths have occurred during their production. This includes The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, during the filming of which 27 animals reportedly died.

This is the same organization that certified Butterball turkeys as “humane,” even though the company grinds up baby male turkeys alive; opposed California’s Circus Cruelty Prevention Act, which bans elephants, tigers, and other animals from being forced to perform in circuses; and refused to join Dr. Jane Goodall’s campaign to end the exploitation of great apes in film and television. AH has even invited those with vested interests, including former SeaWorld and Ringling Bros. circus employees, to sit on its “independent” committee.

AH provides movies, TV shows, roadside zoos, and other animal-exploiting businesses with certifications that have historically been shown to prop up abusers, mislead consumers, and cause major setbacks to the work of true animal protection advocates.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.