Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Touchwood Centre axes 'meet the penguins' event amid fury from animal rights campaigners

Petition opposing the encounter was signed by more than 600 people in 24 hours

Shoppers will no longer see penguins at Touchwood this winter.
Shoppers will no longer see penguins at Touchwood this winter.
Solihull's giant Touchwood mall has cancelled a kids' Penguin Encounter event amid a furious backlash from animal rights campaigners.
The event was scheduled for December 20 and promised to "educate and delight children" about endangered Humboldt penguins.
But shopping centre bosses cancelled it after hundreds campaigned against it.
More than 600 people signed an online petition over the last 24 hours, demanding the event be scrapped.
Others took to Facebook to vent their disapproval.
Derby Animal Rights, which co-ordinated opposition to the event, said: "As well as welfare concerns, using wild animals as a form on ‘entertainment’ sends out the wrong educational messages to the public, in particular children.
Touchwood says it had hoped the event would raise awareness about the low numbers of wild Humboldt penguins.
Touchwood says it had hoped the event would raise awareness about the low numbers of wild Humboldt penguins.
"Animals like penguins do not belong on a High Street in the UK and this event does nothing to teach about conservation or respect for species and habitats."
One protester wrote on Facebook: "Shame on you Touchwood.
"You are exploiting wild animals for your own gains."
Another posted: "Seriously?
"Have some respect for these animals - they are not toys to be shunted around for entertainment value."
Touchwood announced the cancellation on its Facebook page at around 2pm on Monday.
It said it had listened to the concerns expressed.
The event was set to take place in Library Square.
The event was set to take place in Library Square.
A statement read: "It is with regret that we have taken the decision to cancel the Penguin Encounter, scheduled to take place outside in Theatre Square at Touchwood on Sunday December 20.
"This educational encounter has been held at Touchwood for the past three years.


"We are proud to have helped draw the public’s attention to the wonderful Humboldt Penguin species, which in its natural habitat is endangered.
"We had hoped to raise yet more awareness this year, but the purpose of the encounter has been misunderstood by animal rights lobbyists.

"We sincerely apologise for any disappointment caused to the many children and families who were due to join us for what is always an informative day."
Humboldt penguins generally live in coastal Peru and Chile in South America.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of endangered species rates the species as "vulnerable" - one stage from being endangered.


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