Dartmoor Zoo came under the radar of animal lovers and netizens for letting eight years old children play tug of war with tigers and lions, for £15 ticket, under the zoo’s ongoing human vs.
beast challenge.
The human vs. beast challenge was launched by the zoo in February.
Watch the video here:
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Under this challenge, four people played tug of war against one of the big cats of the zoo, and the zookeepers called this activity as an enriching experience for the animals.
The Facebook page of the zoo claims that activities like this are important to keep the cats healthy and fit.
The post further adds that it makes the cats work for their food, which builds their muscle mass.
The competitors in the challenge get to take on either Jasirir, the male lion, or Dragan, the male tiger.
The zookeepers attach meat to the rope as the bait for the animals, and when the animals pick it up, the participants from the other side of the fence start pulling the rope, like in a game of tug of war.
Simon Moore, the senior zookeeper, claimed that activities like these are crucial for the animals because it mimics the natural behavior of the animals.
Benjamin Mee, the CEO of Dartmoor Zoo added that such activities are common in wildlife parks and zoos.
Animal rights groups have raised their voices against this disrespectful practice.
In fact, some activists have called it nothing short of a moronic idea to take animals through such an experience.
The Born Free Foundation sent a tweet to Dartmoor Zoo to put an end to this activity that disrespects the animals.
The zoo owner said that the challenge will carry on despite all the protests and it is sad if the campaigners try to stop animal enrichment in the zoo.
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