A seal with a rope attached to its neck ring was caught on camera towing children’s boat around the pool at an amusement park in Belgium.
The incident happened at Mont Mosan, an amusement park located in Huy, Belgium. As seen in screenshots of the footage shared by an animal activist, a seal is being used to tow children around a pool filled with water.
Around the animal’s neck, there is a blue ring with a rope attached to the boat full of kids.
After the video went viral, animal activists slammed the park over their poor treatment of seals and accused them of animal abuse.
“I find it horrible what we are still doing to animals in 2020. All to entertain people and for money,” said Aaron Copette, a member of the animal rights group called C’est assez [English: That’s enough].
“Even if the owner of the park says he does not abuse or lock up the animals, or force them to do shows, it is still a form of abuse.”
As the activist explained, they’re doing everything in their power to educate people about animal mistreatment and help visitors “understand that it is wrong.”
Speaking out about the alleged animal abuse was also the founder of C’est assez, Christine Grandjean, who urged people not to threaten the park owner.
As Grandjean explained, seals at the park tow the boats voluntarily in order to receive fish as compensation.
“We don’t think he is intentionally harming the animals. Even though we have received reports that the park is insalubrious,” she said.
“We understand that the seals do it voluntarily, slipping into the rope lasso and pulling the boat around.
“But they wouldn’t do it if it weren’t for the fish they are given as a reward. These are animals that belong in the wild. They should not be used as entertainment by people.”
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Replaced!