Justice for Tiger Reportedly Exploited as Prop by TV Celebrity

Target: Thanya Netithammakun, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), Thailand

Goal: Enforce stringent penalties against celebrity-driven wildlife exploitation and cruelty.

In an alarming incident, reality TV personality Tom Sandoval was seen engaging with a captive tiger in a manner that raises serious concerns about animal welfare and exploitation. The distressing footage, shared on social media, shows Sandoval balancing the apex predator on his back, feeding it raw chicken, and using it as a prop for photos. This recklessness not only endangers the tiger but also promotes a dangerous precedent of celebrity-driven wildlife exploitation.

Further disturbing details emerged as Sandoval shared videos of employees at the sanctuary seemingly manipulating the tiger to climb onto his shoulders. These reported actions, performed for social media clout, not only demean the majestic animal but also expose it to stress and potential harm. The incident has sparked outrage among netizens, with many condemning Sandoval’s actions as a blatant disregard for animal rights and welfare. Such apparent behavior contributes to the normalization of wildlife mistreatment, particularly in settings where animals are held captive for entertainment.

This petition calls for immediate legal action against those responsible for enabling and participating in such apparent acts of animal cruelty. It’s crucial to establish a precedent that celebrity status does not exempt individuals from respecting animal rights. Demand that the relevant wildlife protection agencies investigate this incident thoroughly and impose penalties that reflect the seriousness of these actions.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Thanya Netithammakun,

I am writing to bring your attention to a deeply concerning incident involving reality TV personality Tom Sandoval and a captive tiger. This incident, documented and shared on social media, reportedly exhibits a disturbing disregard for animal welfare and safety. In the footage, Sandoval is seen engaging in alleged actions that not only exploit the tiger but also pose a risk to its well-being, including balancing the animal on his back and feeding it inappropriately.

These reported actions, performed in a sanctuary setting, are not only unethical but potentially illegal. They reflect a broader issue of celebrity-driven exploitation of wildlife, where animals are treated as mere props for entertainment and social media clout. This behavior contributes to a culture of disregard for animal rights and welfare, particularly in captive settings. It is imperative that we address this issue head-on to prevent further incidents of this nature.

Therefore, I urge you to take swift and decisive action. Investigate this incident thoroughly and implement penalties that reflect the gravity of these apparent actions. We must establish that wildlife exploitation and cruelty, regardless of the perpetrator’s public status, will not be tolerated. By taking a stand against such behavior, we can protect these majestic creatures and uphold the standards of animal welfare and ethics.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: Doug Beckers