Animal Welfare Concerns about Some TV Shows
There has always been a large percentage of England’s population concerned over the ethics of the TV series ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here’. Which uses challenges for contestants to be scared by (or sometimes eat) various creatures ‘out in the bush’, when filmed in Australia (or sometimes other countries).
Each year, Ofcom receives thousands of complaints about the show. There are genuine concerns for both welfare over creatures either caged, scared or eaten for ‘entertainment’. But also it disrupts ecosystems (these are creatures that would in nature be food for other creatures).
BBC wildlife presenter Chris Packham recently wrote an open letter to the producers (which has been viewed over 1 million times) asking the makers to finally can a program he says has had its day:
Circuses have gone, dancing bears have gone, cock-and-dog fighting are the sad preserve of psychopathic criminals. We have no performing dolphins and no chimpanzees dressed up for tea time.
The cruel exploitation of wildlife for gratuitous entertainment, continues to damage the reputation of a ‘nation of animal lovers’.
Although ITV states that it ‘complies with the laws of Australia’s RSPCA’, our own charity is also concerned and has frequently asked the producers to stop harming other creatures. In the name of raising the profile of ‘celebrities’ or has-been politicians wishing to raise their profiles.
RSPCA has also raised concerns about many of the creatures featured in the program, being frequently chased, dropped or living in overcrowded conditions.
The program also sends a strong message to the viewing public, that ‘insects’ are of no value. In fact, incredible insects are vital to ecosystems, and one of the most important species on our planet.
Money Could Be Spent Elsewhere
ITV often pays huge amounts of money to ‘secure’ contestants for the show (disgraced MP Matt Hancock was paid £350,000) with one contestant apparently receiving £1.5 million for participating. The charity World Animal Protection gives information on how this amount of money could instead be used:
- Put pressure on world leaders to end the global wildlife trade.
- Stop big cats being exploited for trophy hunting (remember Cecil the lion?)
- Power campaigns to end cruel treatment of elephants for tourism
- Maintain and refurbish sanctuaries for bears rescued from the bile industry
- Improve public awareness on why to avoid tourist aquariums (and fund ocean sanctuaries)
- Fund work with governments and food producers to end factory farming.
In England, it’s now illegal to hunt foxes or produce fur or foie gras, yet still one of the most popular TV shows involves harming animals for ‘entertainment’.
When panicked contestants are crawling through mazes with insects, spiders and snakes all around them, and having uncontrollable reactions like shaking, flicking hands and moving carelessly, it’s impossible that none of the animals are harmed. Is festive television the forgotten bloodsport? Surge Activism
‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here is publicly abusing terrified animals, and even killing them in cruel, irresponsible stunts that ITV calls ‘entertainment’. Online reviewer
Do you remember that lovely really tall rescuer of kangaroos, a few years back in Alice Springs? He drives around finding joeys that have lost their mothers, then raises them in kangaroo ‘pillowcases’ to replicate the pouch, getting up several times a night to feed them to release them back to the wild?
Well, their mothers have been not just been killed by road accidents, but often due to hunting. And the ‘kangaroo penis’ that everyone laughs about contestants eating, may well belong to the father of one of Brolga’s little innocent charges. Do you wish to be complicit?
Other Animal Welfare Concerns on TV Shows
It’s lovely to watch a program on animals, but we have to be careful not to let the media overrun programs, when sometimes the information is not helpful.
For example, although they are undoubtedly nice people, some dog trainers are concerned over ‘celebrity dog training tv programs’, as some use outdated methods like choke chains, and often training methods that would not work for the average person with a badly-behaving pooch.
Having reality programs with ‘entertaining pets’ may sometimes be okay if the dog or whatever creature enjoys it. But many animals are likely terrified by all the bright lights and screening.
Cooking and baking programs are popular. But are the ingredients being used from free-range animals? Nobody knows, same with cooking shows.
Simon Cowell (not that one) who founded Wildlife Aid, was appalled at TV shows that disturbed wildlife, in order to create programs for entertainment. He only ever approached wild creatures to help them (often getting bitten and scratched in the process). He says wildlife don’t want to be near us, and should be left alone, unless they need help.
