An event offering the chance to skate alongside penguins has been cancelled after animal rights activists branded the event ‘cruel and tacky’.
Queens Skate Dine Bowl planned the event, which was supposed to go ahead on January 19 in London, UK.
It allowed attendees to skate on the same rink as five Humboldt penguins, with sections divided by a waist-high fence, as part of the Penguins Awareness Day.
However, the event attracted backlash from animal welfare groups including PETA, World Animal Protection UK and Born Free Foundation – which ultimately persuaded the organisers to cancel.
The organisers claimed the event to be a non-profit, educational and accessible experience to raise awareness for penguin welfare.
The profits from the event were intended to go to animal charities – to help penguins who are endangered in their natural habitat.
Reaction
The event drew significant criticism on social media. PETA tweeted: “Using penguins to draw in paying customers is cruel and unthinking. Humboldt penguins belong in cold water and on the rocky islands off the coast of South America, not on a skating rink in London. “
“Forcing them to endure the stress of being hauled around and then let loose in an unfamiliar environment – with hordes of strangers – can only leave these sensitive animals confused, stressed, and petrified.”
World Animal Protection UK added: “Penguins are wild animals that should be in their natural environment, not advertising a busy and noisy tourist attraction.”
Animal lovers across the globe took to twitter to discourage the idea.
One said: “Utterly disgusted by this. Cruel and tacky commercial venture at the expense of wild animals! You’re treating them as mere toys just so you can make ££!!”
Another tweeted: “You should be ashamed of yourselves @queens_london. This is disgusting.”
South Pacific Animal Welfare (SPAW) added: “This is a travesty”
Cancellation
Following the backlash, the venue cancelled the event and tweeted: “Sadly due to the concerns raised by various animal protection groups including PETA & Freedom for Animals – we have had to cancel the event in the interest of the penguins & our guests.”
Sadly? ? perhaps you will think again before exploiting animals in the future.
— clare (@ClareW1111) January 12, 2019
I will say thank you though ?
The phrase ‘sadly’ in the announcement further angered animal lovers on Twitter. One tweeted: “Sadly? perhaps you will think again before exploiting animals in the future. I will say thank you though ”
Another said: “Sadly? Are you mad? In what parallel universe did this ever seem to be a good idea? ”
What do you think about this event? Tell us in the comments section below!
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
81% of military personnel want plant-based meals, new survey reveals
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 27th June 2022
“As the US military continues to seek ways to best support the overall health and diverse needs of its loyal service members, we’re calling on lawmakers to require all branches of the military to provide plant-based MRE options.” The majority of US military members want vegan Meals, Ready to Eat (MRE), according to a new …
Continue reading “81% of military personnel want plant-based meals, new survey reveals”
One more vegan ad banned this week – this time for showing animals in distress
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 9th June 2022
The watchdog banned ads by Vegan Friendly UK and Tesco amid claims of gratuitous violence and misleading information. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned one more vegan TV ad this week over claims that it shows “graphic imagery and gratuitous violence” towards animals. This censure comes on the heels of the UK watchdog banning …
Continue reading “One more vegan ad banned this week – this time for showing animals in distress”
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
Continue reading “QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert”
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
Continue reading “QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?”
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …