As I'm sure many Zoochatters are aware, Congress is set to vote on the Big Cat Public Safety Act. There is a lot of contradicting information about this, with everyone from Carole Baskin to the AZA and WWF voicing an opinion. What do people on here think about the bill, and would it be beneficial or detrimental to zoos and animal conservation?
Is the Big Cat Public Safety Act good or bad?
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Generally will have little effect on how accredited zoos and sanctuaries run. It bans cub petting (with the exemption of AZA zoos funnily enough) and phases out private ownership with the exemption of animals used in an educational facility. Nothing about this bill is overreaching to me and it at least attempts to solve some problems with big cat ownership in the country.
In fact, lots of AR groups are mad because it doesn’t do enough in their opinions (banning ownership outright, etc). Lots of accredited facilities have posted in favor of the bill which is interesting to see as most zoos tend to stay apolitical.
In fact, lots of AR groups are mad because it doesn’t do enough in their opinions (banning ownership outright, etc). Lots of accredited facilities have posted in favor of the bill which is interesting to see as most zoos tend to stay apolitical.
Thank you for this comment. My one concern is that by only having exemptions for Class C exhibitor's licences, some legitimate breeders who are not open to the public might lose the ability to keep big cats. I'm not super well versed in how the USDA licenses work, so want to make sure no legitimate organizations will lose their cats. I also hope this doesn't set a precedent for banning other animals. Some exotic pet regulations are important, but the more Animal Rights Groups succeed with, the more drastic their next steps will be. I don't want it to get to the point they are arguing over private ownership of reptiles, birds, and small animals, and definitely don't want it to get to the point that PETA, etc. interfere with AZA zoos.
I think cub petting is bad and banning it will prevent cubs from being shipped around the country and living low-quality lives. To my knowledge, I don't know any AZA zoos that allow cub petting. I don't like Carol Baskin, but I agree cub petting is wrong. I don't like Joe Exotic either in case you were wondering.
I don't know of any AZA zoo that does "cub petting", but some AZA facilities use cheetahs as Ambassador animals, which this bill includes as a big cat.
I don't have any problem with cub petting. I am indifferent to this bill.
The House passed the Big Cat Public Safety Act by a vote of 272 to 114 today morning.
Idk if it still is going on but Jack Hanna used to bring cubs to late night shows.
And I love how most politicians for this bill bring up Ming the tiger from NYC to show how there so many tigers kept in apartments. Ming's case is an evidence that bans don't work considering the fact that NYC does have a ban on "wild animals" including ferrets. Anyone who can recognize patterns in human behaviors should know that prohibitions on anything are a waste of time and resources.
Regarding cub petting I do want to throw my hat on the ring. I don't oppose it in theory but considering how big those cubs will get, how big big-cat litters are compared to other large mammals, and the small amount of individuals and organizations that could take care of large carnivores, I don't think cub petting is a good idea.
Columbus is one of the handful of zoos that will use cheetahs as part of educational programs. I also find it interesting that anyone with a Class C Exhibitor Lisence can get a big Cat. What this means is that if I wanted to, I could open up a petting zoo with four chickens and a goat, which would mean I would need a Class C Lisence, and would then qualify me for getting a Tiger (which I wouldn't want as a pet anyways).
Not that I wanna stray from the BCPSA but I find it funny that there are privately run exhibitors who think they are better than pet owners because they have the same permit Jpe Exotic or the Cherokee Bear zoo has.
Captive Animal Logic: Why is Rep. Mike Quigley Lying about the Big Cat Public Safety Act?
I just want to bring up this quote from the post I shared to prove that BCPSA probably is a bogus act. For those who want any unaccredited zoo to cease existing, this bill is a nothing burger.
"Big cats in backyards can be USDA-licensed. Private Owners can be USDA-licensed.
Unless a zoo is not in "good standing" with their license (this concept is not defined), they are exempt from the Big Cat Public Safety Act. That means, theoretically, if Joe Exotic was out of prison and operating his zoo, and if he was in "good standing" with his license, this bill would not affect him, other than ending his "pay to play" tiger cub business.
Joe Exotic would still be able to own, breed, sell, and exhibit any big cat. As well as thousands of other so-called roadside zoos."
I just want to bring up this quote from the post I shared to prove that BCPSA probably is a bogus act. For those who want any unaccredited zoo to cease existing, this bill is a nothing burger.
"Big cats in backyards can be USDA-licensed. Private Owners can be USDA-licensed.
Unless a zoo is not in "good standing" with their license (this concept is not defined), they are exempt from the Big Cat Public Safety Act. That means, theoretically, if Joe Exotic was out of prison and operating his zoo, and if he was in "good standing" with his license, this bill would not affect him, other than ending his "pay to play" tiger cub business.
Joe Exotic would still be able to own, breed, sell, and exhibit any big cat. As well as thousands of other so-called roadside zoos."
I definitely find the problems with the bill outweigh the bill's benefits. I think it was a well intended bill, but fell victim to not being made by an expert.
Bills like this are usually smokescreens from Animal Rights extremists to solve a problem that doesn't exist. The name (safety act) implies that Americans are currently unsafe from big cats and people are getting mauled right and left. The average number of death by big cat in this country over the past two decades is one person per year and almost all (maybe all) of those are keepers or staff. While it is a terrible tragedy for the family involved, you don't need federal legislation for a cause of death that is statistically almost non-existent. (And since this doesn't deal with keepers it won't solve anything).
Here is part of the statement (before it passed the House) from the Facebook page of the Feline Conservation Foundation. (Yes, they do advocate responsible private ownership, so they clearly have a stake in it not passing, but these points are still relevant).
...This bill will also stop experienced volunteers from providing any hands-on care to big cats, even through a fence. In fact, the bill prohibits allowing any non-employee past a permanent public access barrier, or within 15 feet of a big cat of any age.
Several of our member facilities rely on volunteer assistance for daily tasks, including feeding big cats and habitat cleaning where animals have been shifted. This bill would ban that activity...
As a photographer I have done paid sessions (in USA and UK) where I have put my lens right up against a fence. This was obviously done with staff supervision and with clear instructions to step back if the cat approaches the fence. I have also done direct contact photo sessions with cubs. At no time during any of these sessions did I feel I was in any danger. I sincerely hope this does not pass the Senate because it will spoil things for some of us, will remove a source of income for facilities, and create another layer of bureaucracy. Though I have mixed feelings about game farms like Triple D (and have never been to one), this seems like it would instantly put them out of business. Also what about animals for movies?
Here is part of the statement (before it passed the House) from the Facebook page of the Feline Conservation Foundation. (Yes, they do advocate responsible private ownership, so they clearly have a stake in it not passing, but these points are still relevant).
...This bill will also stop experienced volunteers from providing any hands-on care to big cats, even through a fence. In fact, the bill prohibits allowing any non-employee past a permanent public access barrier, or within 15 feet of a big cat of any age.
Several of our member facilities rely on volunteer assistance for daily tasks, including feeding big cats and habitat cleaning where animals have been shifted. This bill would ban that activity...
As a photographer I have done paid sessions (in USA and UK) where I have put my lens right up against a fence. This was obviously done with staff supervision and with clear instructions to step back if the cat approaches the fence. I have also done direct contact photo sessions with cubs. At no time during any of these sessions did I feel I was in any danger. I sincerely hope this does not pass the Senate because it will spoil things for some of us, will remove a source of income for facilities, and create another layer of bureaucracy. Though I have mixed feelings about game farms like Triple D (and have never been to one), this seems like it would instantly put them out of business. Also what about animals for movies?
A bit off topic, but I saw a headline that Joe Exotic is one of the people Trump is considering issuing a pardon to. Not sure how valid the claim is.
probably in Joe's own cloud cuckoo land
Knowing this I would generally agree that this bill is not a good think and really shouldn't pass.
I'm pretty certain that this is a valid claim- the Trump administration is currently trying to issue a lot of pardons and his name is likely on the list of people considered. Whether or not he will be pardoned is unknown, but it's a real possibility.
Why would Trump do that? I see no reason he should even consider it, that would be an extremely bad look and I don't think he has anything to gain.
Traditionally the White House considers everyone who applies for a pardon. They don't give pardons to everyone, but if they apply they will be considered.
The regulations for Big Cats by the USDA aren't very strict. Does anyone think this act will trigger a revamp of the regulations?