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A French zoo where guests were allowed to give camembert and whipped cream to lions and tigers has seen its animals seized during a police raid.
The so-called animal sanctuary near Paris offered visitors the opportunity to pose for photos with the animals while feeding and playing with them in cages.
Two lion cubs and a small tiger were among the 14 big cats seized by authorities’ at the self-acclaimed Caresse de Tigre rescue foundation in the commune of Arelaune-en-Seine, near the French capital Paris on November 24. ”.
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A French zoo that required visitors to pet lion cubs and tigers and feed them camembert cheese and whipped cream has been raided by police. Pictured: A woman holding a box of whipped cream feeds a young tiger
A total of 14 animals were seized by authorities – including two lion cubs (pictured) and a tiger – after an official complaint was lodged by an animal protection organization last December.
This is reported by the global animal welfare organization Four Paws, which worked with local partner AVES France and filed an official complaint in December 2019.
Now authorities have acted on the complaint, with Four Paws saying in a press release that it provided them with evidence that there was “a network of breeders and facilities that commercially exploit wild animals.”
Four Paws said: ‘Evidence has revealed the commercial exploitation of lions and tigers for paid interactions such as selfies, petting and bottle-feeding while operating without the required permits. A young lion also bit a visitor in February 2019.
“Four Paws proposed to the French authorities to provide a species-appropriate home for the three pups seized from its FELIDA Big Cat Center in the Netherlands.
“In addition, Four Paws calls on the European Commission to ban the EU trade in tigers once and for all, which would end facilities that exploit big cats.”
After investigating the activities of the Caresse de Tigre center, officials from the OFB (French Biodiversity Office) took the 14 big cats that were kept on the premises.
The so-called animal sanctuary near Paris offered visitors the opportunity to pose for photos with the animals while feeding them (pictured left and right)
While Four Paws insisted that at least the three cubs receive “species-appropriate care”, the animals would stay put until a “long-term solution was found.”
Four Paws says the facility welcomed tourists year round even though it did not have the proper permits.
They also said the center charged tourists € 50 (£ 45) for 10 minutes of interacting with a lion cub, which included feeding it camembert cheese and whipped cream.
Authorities raided the so-called animal sanctuary on November 24, seizing the animals, according to animal welfare organization Four Paws which filed an official complaint last year
Four Paws says the establishment welcomed tourists all year round despite not having the proper permits, and charged people € 50 (£ 45) for 10 minutes of interaction with a lion cub and allowed them to feed the little ones with cheese and whipped cream.
Kieran Harkin, Head of Wildlife Trade at Four Paws, said: ‘The owner claims to save animals from unscrupulous circuses and zoos, but in reality Tiger Pet breeds big cats to exploit them for profit. .
“ Once the big cats get older and too dangerous for interactions, they are sent to circuses to perform. ”
Four Paws spokeswoman Katharina Baun said: ‘Following official complaints from Four Paws and AVES France regarding incidents and animal exploitation at the facility, authorities should further investigate the deal in the coming months. ”
“ The prosecutor will potentially initiate legal proceedings based on the evidence gathered during inspections and the images provided by FOUR PAWS and AVES, ” she added.
She also confirmed that the 14 animals are still currently being held at Caresse de Tigre premises in the custody of the authorities.
Speaking of claims that big cats were fed camembert and whipped cream, Ms Braun said: ‘This is not species-appropriate food and the cubs should be fed by the mother, not by an unqualified member of the general public who pays to interact with a wild animal.
The head of wildlife in the trade at Four Paws said the zoo owner claims to be saving animals from worse circumstances – like unscrupulous circuses and zoos. Pictured: A lion cub peers through a cage at the so-called animal sanctuary near Paris
According to the Animal Protection Index – which ranks countries according to the protections they offer to animals – France is ranked “C”, obtaining the same rating for its protection of animals in captivity. Pictured: Two women pose for photos with lion cubs
“ It violates animal welfare standards and it’s not the right message to the public either. It is not known at this point if the owners have been charged.
According to the Animal Protection Index – which ranks countries according to the protections they offer to animals – France is classified “C”.
This means that France has broadly “ recognized animal sensitivity and the prohibition of animal suffering ”, reflected in the country’s legislation, but still has gaps in other areas of animal protection.
The index specifically ranks France with a “C” with regard to its protection of animals in captivity.
Globally, only a few countries are rated “B” overall, including the UK, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Austria and Switzerland. No country has the highest possible score of “A”.
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