We’re delighted to announce that, after the relentless urging of FoA and other advocates, Sacred Heart University’s Community Theatre has finally decided to cancel their planned ‘Wild World of Animals’ (WWA) show that was slated for March of this year.

While the event was billed as “educational,” the WWA has a long history of animal exploitation and abuse that directly conflicts with a modern view on animal care, safety, and ethical wildlife education.

Upon learning about this garish exposition that was coming to Fairfield, Connecticut, Friends of Animals took the matter directly to the theatre’s board of directors. We let them know just how “educational” watching captive bred animals who lack agency and perform tricks really is.

On their website, Wild World of Animals describes the lives of their animals as follows: we control every aspect of their life – from what they eat and when, to their mates or companions, living space and overall enrichment. They also frequently boast the claim that they don’t poach animals from the wild. Meanwhile, they source many animals by breeding them in their own facilities, making the so-called “educational” component moot.

Animals exploited by WWA live inadequate lives, of which only a tiny fraction is spent outside. Birds, reptiles and mammals live in small enclosures and are trucked from city to city all over the country to parties and events for money. Wild animals in travelling shows are robbed of their ability to express their natural behaviors such as having extended social groups and living in large territories. Plus wild animals normally would be trying to avoid interacting with humans. It’s unnatural for them to be in front of gawking crowds.

This all goes without even mentioning that Grant Kemmerer, the man behind Wild World of Animals, was fined and temporarily lost his license to exhibit animals in New York state because of a complaint that related to five violations of state wildlife laws.

Hats off to the SHU Community Theatre for stepping up and doing the right thing. Animal abuse has no place in education or entertainment.