PETA usually target the same offenders like Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss, who are known for their repeated use of animal furs and products.
But, this time, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is going after Nickolodean and their latest kid flick for the holidays, Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh.
The group is upset over the use of a live chimpanzee in the movie instead of using CGI or animatronics.
PETA has taken to their site and online blogs now to protest the flick starring, Drake Bell and Josh Peck.
The official website for PETA states:
“Tell Nickelodeon to Stop Chimpanzee Abuse
We recently learned that Nickelodeon’s new holiday film, Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh, features a live chimpanzee. With so many realistic alternatives available├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥such as CGI, animatronics, costumes, and blue screen├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥there is no excuse for Nickelodeon to use live great apes in its programs.
Not only was the chimpanzee in the film portrayed in a demeaning way and even referred to as a monkey, the use of great apes in the entertainment industry is also inherently cruel. Training great apes to perform almost always includes physical abuse to ensure that the animals know “who’s boss” and do as the trainer demands. In fact, the wide-toothed chimpanzee “grin” so often seen in movies and on TV is actually a grimace of fear or a carefully choreographed response to a command. By the time great apes are 8 years old├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥around the beginning of young adulthood├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥they are too strong to be safely handled and are frequently discarded in hideous roadside zoos or are warehoused in dismal, appalling conditions. PETA investigations have revealed that former “celebrity” apes were living in small cages littered with garbage and feces and denied basic necessities (like wholesome food and adequate veterinary care).
Please join us in urging Nickelodeon to follow the lead of other progressive companies—including SEGA, Honda, PUMA, Yahoo!, Keds, and others—that have already pledged never to use great apes in the future.
Please take a few moments to fill out the form below to send an automated letter to Nickelodeon Executive Vice President of Programming and Planning Peter Danielsen. Ask Nickelodeon to pledge never to use great apes in any of its programs again.”
If everything above is true, then maybe they should have spent the extra money and gone for CGI or something.
What do U think about this?
[Image via WENN.]