Demand Ethical Standards for Reptile Handling in Viral Videos

Target: Adam Mosseri, CEO of Instagram

Goal: Ensure ethical animal handling and welfare standards after viral Instagram video showing many pythons in close quarters.

Jay Brewer, founder of The Reptile Zoo, recently shared a viral video on Instagram that has sparked widespread fascination. In the clip, Brewer lies among massive pythons, celebrating his birthday with what he calls a “snake party.” While the video has garnered hundreds of thousands of views and a flood of enthusiastic comments, it has also raised concerns about the welfare of the reptiles featured.

Brewer’s content often features reptiles in thrilling and entertaining scenarios, but the potential stress and harm allegedly caused to the animals cannot be overlooked. In this case, the video shows many pythons in close quarters, raising questions about handling practices, the animals’ welfare, and whether their participation in such events is ethical. Content creators like Brewer must consider the physical and emotional well-being of the animals they feature.

As animal lovers and viewers of viral content, we must ensure that animals are treated ethically and respectfully, especially in social media videos that reach millions of viewers. While Brewer’s love for reptiles is clear, content that potentially endangers or stresses animals for entertainment should be scrutinised.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Adam Mosseri,

I am writing to express my concern over the recent viral video shared by Jay Brewer, founder of The Reptile Zoo, in which he is seen lying among a large number of pythons as part of his birthday celebration. While the video has captivated viewers, it has also raised important questions about the reptiles’ welfare.

Brewer’s content often features reptiles in exciting and educational scenarios, but the animals’ welfare must be prioritized in every situation. The sheer number of pythons in such close quarters raises concerns about their handling, the potential stress placed on the animals, and whether these practices are ethical. Animals, particularly those in captivity, must be treated with care and respect, and their well-being should never be compromised for entertainment.

As a platform that hosts content featuring live animals, Instagram is responsible for ensuring that these animals are treated ethically. I urge you to implement guidelines and oversight that ensure animal welfare is upheld in all content, particularly in cases where animals may be subjected to stressful or harmful situations to create viral videos.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I hope Instagram can continue to be a platform where creativity and entertainment thrive without compromising the well-being of animals.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: Karunakar Rayker