Penguins are displayed outside Redbridge Town Hall as part of the Christmas celebrations.
Hundreds of shoppers gathered in Ilford town
centre on Saturday to see the unusual spectacle of penguins waddling
around the High Road.
Children enjoy the penguins displayed outside Redbridge Town Hall as part of the Christmas celebrations.
But the event has drawn criticism from animal welfare campaigners, who called the use of captive birds “exploitative.” The Humbolt penguins were seen playing in a pool, parading and being fed in the display.
It was part of a programme of festive events run by the Ilford Business Improvement District (BID).
The Captive Animals’ Protection Society called for a boycott on the day.
Children enjoy the penguins displayed outside Redbridge Town Hall as part of the Christmas celebrations.
Director
Liz Tyson said: “We are really concerned over the use of animals during
Christmas promotions and encourage people to stay away from any such
event which exploits live animals.
“We are further concerned to
see a company which chooses to use animals in this way demonstrating
such a lack of understanding of the most basic welfare requirements.”
A spokesman for Ilford BID said thorough checks were undertaken before the event. He
added: “We have had a hugely positive response to the weekend’s event
from customers which included regular snowfalls, Christmas music and a
lights show.”
Penguins are displayed outside Redbridge Town Hall as part of the Christmas celebrations.
A
statement from the animal suppliers published on the Ilford BID website
said the Humbolt penguins used were bred in captivity and their welfare
is “paramount.” It continued: “The penguins are used to regular
human contact and are not stressed in any way by flash photography or
busy crowds.
“However, security is maintained at all times and members of the public are prevented from touching them.” The statement said the penguins live in a zoo when not travelling and Humbolts naturally live in warm climates.
source
No comments:
Post a Comment