Peta 'tigers' cage themselves to pity conditions in zoo

Two members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wearing bodysuits resembling tigers, locked in a cage and holding a sign that read ‘Save the Tiger – Say No to Zoos’ led a protest outside the National Zoological Park (formerly Delhi Zoo) in Delhi on Friday.

The demonstration was held against the deaths of eight tigers at the zoo in the last six months. The group called the government to shift its focus to protecting tigers in their natural habitat, rather than keeping them caged.

According to PETA India, the zoo authorities have reacted to the deaths of several adult, newborn and stillborn cubs by announcing an aggressive breeding programme, which will lead to more misery for the tigers from a lifetime of imprisonment to premature deaths.
One of the cats — Khushi — was only eight-year-old when she died from an infection caused by a cub stuck in her womb. The cub died within hours of delivery.

“Tigers who are kings of our jungles are reduced to living sad, empty lives in zoos, staring out of the bars of their cages with vacant eyes,” said PETA India campaign adviser Bhuvaneshwari Gupta.

“Tiger-protection efforts must ensure both the physical and mental well-being of the animals, and zoos often fail on both counts. No matter whether the species is endangered or plentiful, nobody wants to be caged. We urge the government to shifts its focus to protect tigers and other animals in their natural homes instead of pouring crores of rupees into keeping a few miserable animals jailed in zoos,” Gupta added.
A study of zoos worldwide found that big cats have 18,000 times less space in zoos than in nature.

Denied everything that is natural and important to them, tigers and other animals in zoos often express their frustration and loneliness through obsessive, repetitive and even self-destructive behaviour such as constant pacing, circling, swaying, head-bobbing and even self-mutilation. “Such an abnormal behaviour is not found among animals in their natural habitat,” she added.

Through its undercover probes, PETA’ has found appalling neglect, decrepit facilities and animals suffering on a massive scale in zoos in India .
Delhi Zoo officials could not be contacted for comment.
The International Tiger Day is on Monday.