Safari park event attacked by animal charity

8:00am Friday 2nd November 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Cadisha Brown

WEST Midland Safari Park chiefs have been labelled “irresponsible” by an animal protection charity for their plans to host a fireworks display on its grounds this weekend.

The Captive Animals’ Protection Society said the popular tourist attraction showed “a complete disregard for the welfare of the animals involved”, as they could become frightened and stressed by the display.

The Bewdley safari park will be holding the event on Saturday with late-night rides and safari illuminations but a spokeswoman for the attraction said the event had never caused the animals any distress.

Liz Tyson, director of the animal charity, said, however, it was “common knowledge that animals can find fireworks immensely stressful and frightening”.

She added: “It is also astounding that the [safari park] are proudly publicising their sea lion show as part of the night’s entertainment.

“With moves towards a ban on the use of performing wild animals in circuses being supported by the majority of the British public, it is shocking that a [safari park] which purports to be focused on species conservation still features this sort of exploitation as part of its visitor experience.”

The safari park spokeswoman added: “The fireworks festival has been held here for the past 30 years.

“We’ve had local vets on duty and there’s never been any distress caused to the animals whatsoever during that time.

“It’s a longstanding event.

The animals are not under any stress. It’s been proven in the past. It’s going to be another sellout

Comments(10)

Mr.Fie says...
4:17pm Fri 2 Nov 12

Yeah the noises probably scare them, as all fireworks do with pets / animals this time of year. Its only once a year though, im sure the animals are back to normal doing what they normally do within an hour or so. The Safari Park is one of the very few places that actually attracts people into the area so how about not putting another nail in the coffin.

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davewal says...
4:26pm Fri 2 Nov 12

The staff that work with these animals every day know better than anyone how they feel. What right do these idiot crusaders have to try and ruin something that will generate great monies a lot of which goes towards the conservation of animals in south Africa? The staff care about the animals. The protesters are deluded with horror stories and see evil in anything to do with animals in captivity. What you forget is the majority of the animals at the safari park would be dead if they lived on there native wilds. They will live longer in the safari park. They won't go hungry and if they are ill they will be looked after. Perhaps they should wake up to the real world and learn to Support animal charities instead of pathetic gestures for public sensationalism.

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Jerome K says...
5:44pm Fri 2 Nov 12

As an ex worker there many moons ago when I was very young i'd say it's a shame the workers aren't treated as well as the animals ;-)

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trevor9 says...
7:31pm Fri 2 Nov 12

These animal rights people need to get there facts straight before they go on the attack. my friend works at the park with the animals and cares for them a lot and he has told me that they never have any problem with the animals on bonfire night,he told me of one night that the antelope that are a shy and flighty animal were grazing away while fireworks were going off around them so get your facts straight first.

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davewal says...
8:47pm Fri 2 Nov 12

Well said trev.

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icute2000 says...
11:29pm Fri 2 Nov 12

wilfredrabbit wrote:
So animals like fireworks now do they? If that is the case, why are we repeatedly warned about pet dogs and cats getting stressed and injured by fireworks? Does that only apply to domesticated animals? Wild animals and captive animals don't hear them??? I don't want to spoil your "fun", numbnuts, I just wanna be sure that the animals are OK and not traumatised by sudden explosions and very loud noises. What is wrong with that???
NO ANIMALS HAVE BEEN HURT IN THE LAST 30 YEARS, WHATS THE DIFFERENCE NOW (NUMBNUTS)

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wilfredrabbit says...
12:14pm Sat 3 Nov 12

I never suggested that domesticated or captive wild animals had been hurt, nor have I asked for the firework display to be stopped.
I do not want to nail anyone's coffin shut or spoil what you regard as fun.
I show concern for the animals welfare, as I would if my local animal shelter decided to hold a firework display, for example.
The staff at animal parks do not have exclusivity on concern for these (or any other) animals.
What you have to bear in mind, is that there have been verified reports recently of animals in captivity who have been stressed, injured and killed by people attending "out of hours" events. I am in NO WAY suggesting that this would happen at Bewdley but the more enthusiastic animal rights persons tar everybody with the same brush, and you have to accept that there will be backlash to that.
I am well aware that there are many animals in captivity that can never be released, nor would I want them to be. My concern is animal welfare, not "party-pooping" and if the animals are monitored by a vet and there are no incidents of stress or injury then I personally don't see that there is much to get over-excited about.

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davewal says...
12:48pm Sat 3 Nov 12

Yet you got over excited an started calling people numbnuts. Like Trevor said get your facts right before you impose your opinion on others.

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wilfredrabbit says...
1:31pm Sat 3 Nov 12

But my opinion is the same as yours.....if you read the post you replied to, you will see that.

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wilfredrabbit says...
1:33pm Sat 3 Nov 12

Or to put it in a language you can understand.....If the animals are alright, I don't give a "fook" what you people do!

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