Cartoon by: Jairus Kristan Samudio
Published by: Marino Peralta
Date Published: September 10, 2024
Time Published: 9:00 AM
Animals are also living things who deserve to be cared for, respected, and to be treated with kindness. Even if there are laws prohibiting it, mistreatment or cruelty towards animals is still prevalent. In reality, some zoos in the Philippines abuse animals and use them as props for selfies, for public displays, and human entertainment.
A week ago, a video surfaced on various social media platforms of a white lion named “King” from Baluarte Zoo in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, being kicked while the lion appeared tired, sleepy, and forced to pose for a photo opportunity [1]. This behavior is inhumane, especially how the facilities tolerated animal abuse as if it was a normal thing to do. However, why do people believe that abusing and imprisoning animals for the sole purpose of entertainment and public display is acceptable?
Some people take advantage of animals and exploit them for financial gain because unlike humans, they cannot express their needs and feelings through speech. An example of this is our country's only resident elephant, “Mali,” who passed away from congestive heart failure while imprisoned [2]. Due to a lack of veterinary care and elephant experts in our country, no one could monitor Mali's health condition. The elephant was deprived of its natural habitat and is confined to a cement enclosure, far from her native environment. Mali's seclusion and inability to interact with other elephants is considered as animal cruelty, not in a physical sense, but psychologically. Their attention is more on Mali's popularity, disregarding her mental state and welfare which ultimately resulted in her loneliest and saddest death.
Furthermore, our education in terms of animal welfare remains insufficient. Treating these animals as selfie props and failing to keep them healthy will only worsen their situation. Captivity only suppresses an animal’s natural instincts and these animals that were isolated from the outside world and placed in a small enclosure without enrichment only suffer from severe psychological distress.
In addition to this, last year due to a pandemic, an undercover investigation conducted by animal-rights organization Lady Freethinker revealed that 98 animals in the zoo were neglected and were found to be malnourished, chained, and living in filthy pens [3]. Their state was horrific, they were abused and all we can blame is the facilities and the trend for taking selfies with animals which is also a contributing factor for the increase of animal cruelty. They did not choose to be there, but they were kept in inadequate enclosures for the sake of human entertainment.
Taking care of animals equates to a great deal of responsibility. We should not hold animals captive unless necessary. Every animal facility should be aware by now the consequences of neglecting and abusing animals. This issue is still evident today and we must break the cycle and prevent this from happening again. Let's end visitor selfies with animals, stop treating them as human entertainment, and facilities should start to prioritize animal welfare over fame and amusement. “It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal” a quote by Joaquin Phoenix.
Let's treat everyone with kindness and if we witness any animal cruelty, let us be their voice and speak for their rights. We should keep in mind that animals matter too and there is no excuse for animal cruelty.
REFERENCES:
[1] Tv, I. H. R. (2024, August 19). Alleged mistreatment of lion at zoo in Vigan, Ilocos Sur condemned. GMA News Online. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/917613/alleged-mistreatment-of-lion-at-zoo-in-vigan-ilocos-sur-condemned/story/
[2] Inquirer, P. D. (2023, December 6). Zoo cites cause of Mali’s death; Peta decries ‘abuse.’ INQUIRER.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1868043/zoo-cites-cause-of-malis-death-peta-decries-abuse
[3] Dalton, J. (2021, December 16). Tigers, lions and monkeys ‘found chained, underweight and stressed’ in Philippines zoos. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/southeast-asia/zoo-animals-tiger-lion-monkey-philippines-b1973031.html
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