***Stop press 23/10/2003***
Man vs Beast removed from schedule - more here>Animal welfare organisations outrage at planned TV programme
London, UK - June 2003The Born Free Foundation has joined forces with other animal welfare organisations to ask Granada Television to reconsider their decision to produce and broadcast a new TV show which may have serious implications for animal welfare.
In the new reality TV show, Man vs. Beast sets a series of physical challenges where human contestants compete against animals. In the original American version, a bear competed against a man to eat as many hot dogs as possible; a swimmer raced against a dolphin and 50 men competed against an elephant to tow an aeroplane.
Virginia McKenna, Founder of the Born Free Foundation, said in a letter to Granada Television, "I am appalled that in this day and age we have to resort to the exploitation of animals in this way for so-called human entertainment. It is both cruel and unacceptable and I would please ask you to abandon any plans to either broadcast the US version or commission something similar for the UK." Virginia continued "Animals should be admired for their achievements in the context of their natural habitat and not made the objects of ridicule."
Born Free is deeply concerned by the news of this TV show, a series that will only promote animal exploitation and demean the animals featuring in the show and trivalise wildlife in general, attitudes that Born Free works tirelessly to end.
As television viewers, Born Free ask you, the compassionate public to write to Granada Television, ITV and the Independent Television Commission and express your concerns over this planned programme and ask for these plans to be abandoned. Instead Granada Television should be focusing amazing attributes of animals in the wild - where they truly belong.
According to the Teletext website the Programme, 'Man vs. Beast' is to be temporarily shelved until the content of the programme and activities involving wild animals pitted against humans have been researched thoroughly.
Support our campaign to ask Granada Television and ITV to completely abandon their plans to produce and broadcast 'Man vs. Beast'. Please write to any of the following respectfully stating your concerns:
ITV Network are apparently commissioning the programme, and the person to contact here is:
Claudia Rosencrantz
Commission Control for Entertainment
ITV Network
200 Greyin Road
London WC1X 8HFThank you for your help!
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