Today, Netflix releases Tiger King 2, a follow-up to its docu-series, Tiger King, which followed the life, relationships, and eventual downfall of former Oklahoma roadside zoo owner, Joseph Allen Maldonado-Passage (known as Joe Exotic). The first season of the series highlighted the cruel and unethical world of wild animal captivity and tiger breeding in the United States and prompted renewed interested from both the public and lawmakers in the Big Cat Public Safety Act (H.R. 263/S. 1210), a bill that would ban the private ownership of big cats and prohibit public interactions with these animals. With the release of the series’ second season, Born Free USA calls on members of Congress to act quickly to pass this important bill.
An Epidemic of Big Cat Captivity
Across the United States, thousands of big cats are kept as pets or held in captivity in roadside zoos like the one formerly owned by Joe Exotic. These wild animals face abuse at every stage of their lives. Cubs are commonly taken away from their mothers as soon as they are born so they can be used in exploitative but very lucrative cub petting and photo op events, a practice that can cause lifelong physical and psychological harm, and even death, in the cubs. Once the animals grow too large, strong, and unpredictable to be used at these events, they are often sold into the exotic pet industry; warehoused in substandard zoos where they suffer poor conditions, improper diet, and insufficient space, veterinary care, and enrichment; or killed and sold for their parts.
Tigers and other big cats are wild animals that cannot be tamed or domesticated and the conditions of captivity can often prompt these animals to react dangerously. There have been hundreds of incidents in the U.S. involving captive big cats, including hundreds of human injuries and deaths. In many cases, the animals were shot and killed, often by first responders who are not equipped or trained to deal with these situations.
Congress Must Act
It is past time to end this dangerous exploitation and cruelty.
Angela Grimes, Born Free USA CEO, says, “The first season of Tiger King cast a harsh light on the dark world of roadside zoos, tiger cub breeding, and the trade in wild animals as pets. It is clear that allowing these activities to continue is not only terribly cruel to the animals, but also extremely dangerous, and a federal solution is needed. Born Free USA has championed the Big Cat Public Safety Act since it was first introduced in 2011. The bill gained traction last year after the series’ release, and eventually passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support. With the release of Tiger King 2, Born Free USA urges lawmakers to take swift action to pass this bill into law.”
Will Travers OBE, Co-Founder of Born Free USA and Executive President of Born Free Foundation, says, “The original Tiger King shone a spotlight on the brutal reality of life endured by tigers and other big cats held captive in harsh conditions in backyard zoos in the U.S. and around the world. Tiger King 2 makes it crystal clear that this form of wild animal exploitation must stop and that the need for action is all the more urgent. This is the wakeup call: we must stop buying tickets to such places and perpetuating the suffering; we must tighten up the exotic pet licencing laws in the UK; and we must urgently pass the Big Cat Public Safety Act in the U.S., to ensure that no wild big cats – indeed, no wild animals – should ever have to endure these conditions on our watch, for our ‘entertainment’ ever again. The only place wild animals should live their lives is in the wild.”
Three Ways to Take Action
As the world once again tunes in to watch the second installment of Tiger King, please take action to advance the Big Cat Public Safety Act, raise awareness on social media, and support Born Free USA’s work to help tigers.
1. Write to your lawmakers in support of the Big Cat Public Safety Act!
If you are a U.S. resident, please speak out for the Big Cat Public Safety Act by urging your U.S. senators and representative to support the legislation! Click here to send your letter.
2. Spread the word about the Big Cat Public Safety Act on social media using these sample posts:
FOR TWITTER:
With the release of #TigerKing2, it is time for Congress to pass the #BigCatPublicSafetyAct, a bill to ban private ownership of #tigers & other #BigCats and prohibit public contact with these dangerous animals. Speak out for #AnimalWelfare & public safety: bit.ly/bcpsa-action
FOR FACEBOOK:
With the release of “Tiger King 2” on Netflix, it is time for Congress to pass the Big Cat Public Safety Act, a bill that would ban the private ownership of tigers and other big cats and prohibit public contact with these dangerous wild animals. Speak out for animal welfare and public safety at bit.ly/bcpsa-action #TigerKing2
3. Adopt a tiger from Born Free USA!
Born Free USA works to protect tigers in the wild and keep tigers and other big cats out of captivity. Support this work by adopting a tiger! Adoptions come with a virtual adoption package and make great gifts! Click here to adopt a tiger.
