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Peta claims owls mistreated on Harry Potter studio tour Peta claims owls mistreated on Harry Potter studio tour
(35 minutes later)
Live owls which feature in a popular “studio tour” of the Harry Potter movies face “cruel” and “demeaning” conditions, according to animal rights group. Live owls which feature in a popular “studio tour” of the Harry Potter movies face “cruel” and “demeaning” conditions, according to an animal rights group.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) posted a video to YouTube which it claims shows birds being mistreated by staff for the pleasure of visitors. Peta said it decided to investigate after receiving complaints from fans who took the Warner Bros Harry Potter studio tour in Leavesden, Hertfordshire.People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) posted a video to YouTube which it claims shows birds being mistreated by staff for the pleasure of visitors. Peta said it decided to investigate after receiving complaints from fans who took the Warner Bros Harry Potter studio tour in Leavesden, Hertfordshire.
“‘Trainers’ supervising the tour showed gross negligence both in handling the birds and in ensuring public safety,” said the organisation on its website. “Staff actively encouraged flash photography, despite the fact that owls have especially acute vision and find blinding camera flashes extremely distressing. The owls respond by desperately chewing at their tethers and shaking their heads.“‘Trainers’ supervising the tour showed gross negligence both in handling the birds and in ensuring public safety,” said the organisation on its website. “Staff actively encouraged flash photography, despite the fact that owls have especially acute vision and find blinding camera flashes extremely distressing. The owls respond by desperately chewing at their tethers and shaking their heads.
“A trainer also cajoled people to touch the frightened birds, ignoring signs telling people not to touch the birds. As bird experts will tell you, as well as being stressful for the owls, this also interferes with the natural oils in their feathers that keep them warm.“A trainer also cajoled people to touch the frightened birds, ignoring signs telling people not to touch the birds. As bird experts will tell you, as well as being stressful for the owls, this also interferes with the natural oils in their feathers that keep them warm.
“The trainer irresponsibly encourages visitors to purchase their own owls, stating that they are inexpensive to buy and that you ‘do not have to have a licence’. Animals should never be hired out as if they were living props. Companies frequently force animals into stressful, highly unnatural situations and keep them shackled in small cages and some even use cruel training methods behind the scenes.”“The trainer irresponsibly encourages visitors to purchase their own owls, stating that they are inexpensive to buy and that you ‘do not have to have a licence’. Animals should never be hired out as if they were living props. Companies frequently force animals into stressful, highly unnatural situations and keep them shackled in small cages and some even use cruel training methods behind the scenes.”
Peta pointed out that the “inexcusable mistreatment of sensitive wild animals” was contrary to statements made in the past by Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who has said that keeping owls in confined domestic spaces is wrong.Peta pointed out that the “inexcusable mistreatment of sensitive wild animals” was contrary to statements made in the past by Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who has said that keeping owls in confined domestic spaces is wrong.
A spokesperson for Warner Bros Studio Tour London said owls at the exhibit were exclusively handled “for short periods” by an outside company, Birds and Animals, which owned the birds, but said it was “essential to us all that the welfare of the birds and animals in their care is of the highest standard”.A spokesperson for Warner Bros Studio Tour London said owls at the exhibit were exclusively handled “for short periods” by an outside company, Birds and Animals, which owned the birds, but said it was “essential to us all that the welfare of the birds and animals in their care is of the highest standard”.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Birds and Animals has now begun a review of “issues raised” after viewing the Peta footage. In its own statement, Birds and Animals said: “We will take appropriate action to ensure that the birds and animals always receive the very best care.”According to the Hollywood Reporter, Birds and Animals has now begun a review of “issues raised” after viewing the Peta footage. In its own statement, Birds and Animals said: “We will take appropriate action to ensure that the birds and animals always receive the very best care.”
The studio tour opened in early 2012 and employs more than 300 people. It centres on the making of the eight Harry Potter films and features sets, props and costumes used in the original production. The Leavesden site is also a working studio and recently played host to a shoot for Tom Cruise action movie Edge of Tomorrow.The studio tour opened in early 2012 and employs more than 300 people. It centres on the making of the eight Harry Potter films and features sets, props and costumes used in the original production. The Leavesden site is also a working studio and recently played host to a shoot for Tom Cruise action movie Edge of Tomorrow.