Tell Kalahari Resorts: Tiger Cub Exhibits For Photos and Petting are Cruel, Not Cool
- by: Big Cat Rescue
- recipient: Kalahari Resorts executives
Videos taken in Kalahari's lobbies show heartbreaking abuse. One video shows the terrified screams of a 6-week-old tiger cub as it is forced to interact with a customer. When the cub won't cooperate, the handler roughly grabs him and pulls him back. Other videos show handlers swinging cubs in the air, blowing in their faces and smacking them on the nose so they will hold still for the photos. And it's all for the sake of profit for Kalahari Resorts!
For over 10 years, the popular U.S. resort chain has contracted with exotic animal breeders to provide live tiger and lion cubs to their resorts. The exhibitors breed the cubs, rip them from their mothers shortly after birth, and bring them to the lobbies of Kalahari's hotels. The cubs are then kept in tiny, closet-sized glass enclosures like merchandise until unsuspecting families — who do not realize the misery the cubs endure — pay to pet or take a photo with them.
The cubs are subjected to enormous stress as they are repeatedly handled throughout the day by paying tourists rather than sleeping as baby tigers should. Some are so young their eyes have barely opened. They will never see their mothers again; instead they will be bottle fed and used repeatedly as photo props until they are too large and dangerous for the public to handle. This completely unnatural existence can cause many cubs to become ill and some may even die.
Join Big Cat Rescue's effort to end this misery to cubs by adding your voice today to the rising chorus of concerned people who don't want to see wild cats bred to be exploited and abused as cubs and then discarded when they are no longer money makers. Your signature will ensure that Kalahari Resorts hears from the public loud and clear that it is cruel, not cool, to use tiger cubs as marketing ploys and photo props and this abuse must stop now!
For over 10 years, the popular U.S. resort chain has contracted with exotic animal breeders to provide live tiger and lion cubs to their resorts. The exhibitors breed the cubs, rip them from their mothers shortly after birth, and bring them to the lobbies of Kalahari's hotels. The cubs are then kept in tiny, closet-sized glass enclosures like merchandise until unsuspecting families — who do not realize the misery the cubs endure — pay to pet or take a photo with them.
The cubs are subjected to enormous stress as they are repeatedly handled throughout the day by paying tourists rather than sleeping as baby tigers should. Some are so young their eyes have barely opened. They will never see their mothers again; instead they will be bottle fed and used repeatedly as photo props until they are too large and dangerous for the public to handle. This completely unnatural existence can cause many cubs to become ill and some may even die.
Join Big Cat Rescue's effort to end this misery to cubs by adding your voice today to the rising chorus of concerned people who don't want to see wild cats bred to be exploited and abused as cubs and then discarded when they are no longer money makers. Your signature will ensure that Kalahari Resorts hears from the public loud and clear that it is cruel, not cool, to use tiger cubs as marketing ploys and photo props and this abuse must stop now!
I will NOT be vacationing at a Kalahari Resort because you allow the mistreatment and exploitation of tiger and lion cubs!
I am shocked and disappointed to learn that Kalahari Resorts regularly hosts photo and petting exhibits using live tiger and lion cubs. These exhibits are incredibly harmful to the welfare of the cubs, public safety and wildlife conservation. They also send the very wrong message that Kalahari Resorts thinks it is okay to exploit wild cubs for entertainment and profit. Kalahari must stop enabling these cub petting schemes immediately.
[your comment here]
For over a decade, Kalahari Resorts has been contracting with exotic animal breeders to provide live tiger and lion cubs to their resorts. The exhibitors breed the cubs, rip them from their mothers shortly after birth, and bring them to the lobbies of Kalahari's hotels. The cubs are then kept in tiny, closet-sized glass enclosures like merchandise until unsuspecting families - who do not realize the misery the cubs endure - pay to pet or take a photo with them.
The cubs are subjected to enormous stress as they are repeatedly handled throughout the day by paying tourists rather than sleeping as baby tigers should. Some are so young their eyes have barely opened. They will never see their mothers again; instead they will be bottle fed and used repeatedly as photo props until they are too large and dangerous for the public to handle. This completely unnatural existence can cause many cubs to become ill and some may even die.
Videos taken in Kalahari's lobbies show heartbreaking abuse. One video shows the terrified screams of a 6-week-old tiger cub as it is forced to interact with a customer. When the cub won't cooperate, the handler roughly grabs him and pulls him back. Other videos show handlers swinging cubs in the air, blowing in their faces and smacking them on the nose so they will hold still for the photos. And it's all for the sake of profit for Kalahari Resorts!
Tiger and lion cubs may be adorable, but they're wild animals; not toys, props or decorations. Kalahari Resorts should be known as wholesome family vacation destinations...not as places to avoid because of tiger cub exploitation.
For the sake of animal welfare, wildlife conservation, and Kalahari's reputation, Kalahari Resorts should permanently stop live cub displays at all locations immediately. Until you do, my family will be vacationing with a more responsible business.
Sincerely,
[your name]
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