Seeing animals in the wild or at reputable facilities can be a life-changing experience. One family of bloggers visited a roadside attraction in Florida where the alligators were living under less-than-ideal conditions.
The Radford Family are from the U.K. and share their lives on social media, and they have 375,000 followers on YouTube. In one vlog, they showed a trip to Florida where they did cultural touchpoints, such as visiting a Costco. They also went to a roadside attraction where they were able to see alligators and even hold them. This is where they ran into some trouble with their fans.
At the attraction, they took turns holding baby alligators, all of which had tape over their mouths.
PETA wrote about some of the ethical issues with this type of experience. The organization explains that these attractions have no regulations and standards of care, and photo ops where countless tourists hold baby alligators can cause tremendous stress.
In the United States, reputable zoos are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which has rigorous standards. In fact, the association's standards and policies document is over 100 pages long. According to AZA, "Fewer than 10% of the approximately 2,800 animal exhibitors licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture are AZA accredited!"
This means that the vast majority of facilities are likely to have subpar care. There are, of course, exceptions, but the type of roadside attraction featured in this YouTube clip are some of the worst culprits.
TCD Picks » EDF Spotlight
💡EDF's Vital Signs newsletter delivers stories about game-changing solutions close to home and around the world
Save $10,000 on solar panels without even sharing your phone number Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers that can help you save as much as $10k on installation. To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best local options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner. |
The video received hundreds of comments, many pointing out the unethical treatment of the animals.
"Poor… alligators with mouths taped up so humans can get photos. Cruel and sad," wrote one person.
Someone else seconded this opinion, saying, "That's so cruel the way their mouths are taped up so they can be passed about and photographed."
Finally, another YouTuber added, "Poor animals, it's a disgusting display with the crocs at the end."
TCD Picks » EDF Spotlight
💡EDF's Vital Signs newsletter delivers stories about game-changing solutions close to home and around the world
|
Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
Definitely 👍 
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Cool Picks
