PETA Statement: Protections for Captive Tiger Cubs to Take a Bite out of the Photo Op Biz

For Immediate Release:
April 5, 2016

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

PETA Foundation Captive Animal Law Enforcement Counsel Rachel Mathews released the following statement in response to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s announcement that privately owned “generic” tigers will be subject to the same permitting requirements under the Endangered Species Act as “purebred” tigers used in zoo breeding programs:

PETA has long called on the government to close a loophole in federal law that has allowed notorious animal abusers to harm, export, and sell endangered tigers without registering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Today’s announcement follows last year’s protection for captive chimpanzees and will help stem the captive tiger overpopulation crisis caused by roadside zoos, animal circuses, and wildlife exhibitors who breed tiger cubs as photo props.

PETA’s motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment,” and more information about roadside zoos and backyard menageries is available here.