PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram/@akfanimalrescue
HUMINGI ng sorry ang sikat na zoo sa Vigan, Ilocos Sur matapos kumalat sa social media ang video na makikitang sinasaktan umano ang isang white lion.
Kamakailan lang, ibinandera ng Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) sa Instagram ang ilang pictures ni “King,” ang pangalan ng leon, na mukhang groggy at unresponsive.
“We have been receiving tons of messages, reports, tags and even RESCUE REQUESTS of ‘KING’, a White Lion in BALUARTE in VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR, who appears to be mishandled as shown in a recent viral video,” caption sa post.
Wika pa ng non-profit animal welfare, “UNFORTUNATELY, WE CANNOT RESCUE HIM. BUT TODAY WE WILL BE HIS VOICE AND WE WILL SPEAK FOR KING.”
Ayon pa sa foundation, huli sa akto na minamaltrato ng caretakers ang leon upang mas maging photogenic sa mga nagpapa-selfie na turista.
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Ibinandera ng AKF ang ilang screenshots na kitang-kita ang paghila sa buntot nito at pagsipa sa binti.
“In the recent viral video, King looked very tired, sleepy and uncomfortable. In other videos, there are some practices of the caretakers that we find inappropriate – such as tail pulling, pushing and kicking his leg so he would look good in photos.
“Others say King was drugged considering his docile, groggy look and unnatural behavior…definitely not the King of the Jungle!” dagdag pa.
Kasunod niyan, nanawagan ang animal welfare sa publiko na tigilan na ang pagpapa-picture sa mga hayop sa zoo upang maiwasan ang mga ganitong klaseng sitwasyon.
“There is only one solution to end this. STOP the Selfies as you are also financing the cruel practice,” apela ng organisasyon.
Mukhang nakarating sa pamunuan ng nasabing zoo ang hinaing ng maraming netizens at naglabas agad sila ng official statement.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy for any mistreatment of animals, and we are taking swift action to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Immediate measures have been implemented to prevent any recurrence, including additional staff training and stricter supervision during all animal interactions,” pagtitiyak nila sa bahagi ng kanilang post.
Dagdag pa, “Forcing King to move in a manner that is uncomfortable or distressing is not only against our ethical standards but also counter to the understanding of his natural behavior.”
Iniimbestigahan na nila ang insidente, “We are reviewing our procedures to prevent anything like this from happening again.”
Bandang huli ay nanghingi sila ng tawad, “Please know that we are committed to making the necessary changes to ensure that our zoo remains a place where animals are treated with the utmost care and respect.”