Chris Packham calls for I’m A Celebrity to ‘shape up or shut down’ over the use of animals
Chris Packham has called for I’m A Celebrity to “shape up or shut down” over the use of animals in trials.
The 60 year-old naturalist and TV presenter took aim at the ITV show use of creatures in its bushtucker trials ahead of its to return to Gwrych Castle.
Last year’s series took place in Wales rather than Australia for the first time, and the wildlife expert, who has been a frequent critic of the programme, also questioned what had happened to some of the non-UK native species.
He told Yahoo UK: “Is this finally the year? The year when I’m A Celebrity finally joins the rest of the thinking caring world and addresses its abhorrent disrespect for animals and disregard for their welfare.
“We are in a critical biodiversity crisis, we’ve just had the COP to highlight this and ensuring the immediate protection of all life is imperative.”
He added: “Last year non native species were allegedly allowed to escape from their set, threatening our native wildlife. This cannot happen again.”
“The programme has ample opportunities to be entertaining without resorting to abusing animals or their reputations – it’s the time when we all need to change and this series is no exception. It’s time for it to shape up – or shut down.”
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Agree with him 100%. Always found that programs treatment of animals for entertainment as gross. Wow, some z lister chewing on a Kangaroos anus for the 20th year running, top quality tv. Surely they have more than one brain cell to come up with something new? Plus the fact that non native species escaped last year which could potentially kill off our native species is a massive no.
There no need for cruelty to animals thou is there
Quick Google search showed me they are native to the UK. It’s just they were killed off by humans. The same with bears and wolves.
Totally agree – use of animals is abhorent, esp. for such low brow entertainment.