Proms are known for getting wild, but this is just too much.
Students and parents are angry at Christopher Columbus High School officials for taking its “Welcome to the Jungle” themed prom too literally — particularly, wheeling out a LIVE TIGER in a cage for students to gawk at and take pictures of.
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Outrage was sparked after video of the big cat was posted to Facebook by Marie-Cris Castellanos, whose brother attended the event.
The footage (below) shows the tiger pacing in its tiny cage, clearly startled by the flashing lights and commotion:
The event, hosted at the Double Tree Hilton Miami Airport Convention Center, also included costumed fire dancers, giant plants, a lemur, two macaws, and an African fennec fox. Some of the live animals were used as table centerpieces, according to WPLG-Ch. 10.
In the caption of her video, Castellanos accused the school staff for being “responsible for this tiger’s misery,” adding that the animal “was used as an EXOTIC amusement for the mindless teenagers who were present.”
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Castellanos added that she hopes the all boys Catholic school will stop the use of animal entertainment at parties. School officials, however, say people are overreacting. A rep said in a statement:
“The tiger, which was displayed for a few minutes in a cage, was never harmed or in danger, was not forced to perform, was always accompanied by his handlers, and for the great majority of the time, was laying down in a relaxed state, facing away from the audience.”
But professionals saw the tiger’s behavior much differently. Ron Magill, an animal behavior expert from ZooMiami, told the Miami Herald:
“The tiger is clearly looking for a way to get out of that situation, it’s not difficult to interpret that behavior. He was surrounded by people, cell phones, lights, jugglers juggling fire. I really don’t know what they were thinking.”
David Pugh, the Miami high school’s principal, apologized for the use of the tiger in a statement on Sunday. Going forward, he added, the school will evaluate their current policies and procedures in the planning of school events.
Maybe next time just book a solid DJ.
[Image via Facebook.]
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