Letter: Animals should not be exploited for entertainment

Monday, Oct. 20, 2003 | 8:59 a.m.

Although I appreciate letter-writer Lena Nava's concern for tigers, she is wrong in saying that white tigers would be "an extinct breed" if left in their natural habitats (Letter to the Editor, Oct. 10). White tigers are not even considered a "species." They are an abnormal color variation of Bengal tigers and are bred as a "novelty." All captive white tigers are inbred and many suffer serious congenital defects. The American Zoo and Aquarium Association's Tiger Species Survival Plan condemns the breeding of white tigers.

Furthermore, no one is doing tigers or other captive exotic animals any favors by depriving them of their instincts to hunt, roam and socialize with other members of their species in their natural habitats, and forcing them to perform tricks to amuse hundreds of thousands of loud, gawking tourists.

All of us at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals hope that Roy Horn will make a full recovery, but we also hope that this tragic incident will finally persuade Siegfried & Roy and other entertainers to make animals disappear from their acts. Truly talented entertainers do not need to exploit animals to amuse audiences.

HEATHER MOORE

Editor's note: Heather Moore is a PETA staff writer based in Norfolk, Va.