The annual ‘I’m A Celebrity’ has kicked off once again. Which is bad news for the animals.
Some people love the show, others hate it. It’s the Marmite of TV shows. However, whatever one thinks about it and its contestants, I’m sure one thing most people would agree with these days is that animals shouldn’t be exploited for our entertainment. Sadly though, the show’s unremittingly blatant exploitation of animals seems set to continue.
Animals used in the show’s ‘tasks and games’ can be eaten alive, crawled over, trapped in barren boxes and cages and grabbed, groped, trodden on, kicked, thrown around, poked and prodded. The treatment of animals seems to be getting more and more extreme every year.
Rats deserve respect
The suffering caused to some of the bigger animals is more apparent. Rats are often used in ‘tasks’ and ‘games’. Because they are usually referred to as ‘vermin’ and ‘pests’ we sometimes forget that they are in fact sentient creatures with their own thoughts and feelings.
It’s perhaps not surprising that these extremely social and affectionate animals enjoy the company of other rats and tend to become lonely and depressed without companions. Further, they take care of injured and sick rats in their group. In good times when they are happy, rats will chatter or grind their teeth, a behaviour which is often accompanied by vibrating eyes.
Not only are they sensitive and caring but rats are also intelligent. They have excellent memories and once they learn a navigation route, they won’t forget it. They have been shown to succumb to peer-pressure and disregard personal experiences in order to copy the behaviour of their peers, just like humans.
Although very curious animals, rats are also shy, and prefer to run away than confront a potential threat. They must surely find ‘taking part’ in this game show a stressful and distressing experience.
Desensitisation to cruelty
In addition to rats, snakes and eels, countless invertebrates such as cockroaches, spiders and scorpions are also used. Scientific research may suggest that certain animals are more likely to be able to suffer than others. However whilst any doubt remains, surely all animals should be given the benefit of the doubt. This kind of inconsiderate treatment of animals not only raises welfare concerns for the individuals concerned but it also sends a message that the abuse of animals for entertainment is acceptable. This in turn may lead to people becoming desensitised to animal cruelty which could have serious wider and long-term implications.
At a time when animal cruelty seems to be out of control, this programme's use of animals means that organisations such as OneKind, trying to engender respect and compassion for animals, just have to work all the harder..
Animal-friendly entertainment
Every year supporters and members of the public express their opposition to the use of animals in I'm a Celebrity. OneKind and other organisations have shared this concern with programme makers and television companies in the past. Let’s hope that in future they react to public concern about the abuse of animals, use some initiative and come up with some more imaginative and animal-friendly entertainment.