CORNWALL, Ontario – While many families attended Little Ray’s Wildlife Festival inside of Nav Centre on Sunday, March 3, protestors held a different conversation and message outside.
“We are concerned about the kind of event where animals are brought around for display,” said Michele Thorn, activist with Ottawa Animal Defence League. “These are wild animals that have been rescued, which is fine. If they’re rescuing animals, I’m glad for that. But these animals shouldn’t be brought around and put on display in arenas with strange people, strange noises and strange smells. It’s stressful for (the animals) to be brought around (North America)…they are not here for our entertainment.”
Thorn commended Little Ray’s Nature Centre for their sanctuary locations and rescue efforts. She understands and agrees with fundraising ventures that involve public viewings within stationary sanctuaries. However, when it comes to travelling and breeding rescued animals within captivity, Thorn does not hold the same beliefs.
“It’s essentially a zoo on wheels. (I also) takes issue if the centre is breeding animals. They’re not repopulating the wild, they’re just creating more animals that will only ever know captivity,” said Thorn.
Thorn and Diana Payne, fellow animal rights activist, specifically spoke about the rescue and needs of sloths. Contending that they are very solitary creatures, both activists agreed that sloths should not be subjected to an atmosphere that is drastically different from an environment in which they will thrive.
“(Sloths) are not meant to be pets. They’re wild animals. There’s a big exotic trade now with sloths. It’s becoming a huge problem and I think having a sloth on display as an attraction isn’t sending the right message,” said Payne.
Thorn said she was happy to stop and talk with anyone about their perspective on the matter during the protest. The protestors had received a few honks of support and thumbs up about an hour into their display.
“It’s changing people’s minds and it makes them think a little different,” said Thorn.
“They belong in the wild, but if they have been rescued, we (should) do our best at that point to let them be in peace. But don’t make more animals,” she added.
