The Chase stars are SLAMMED by the RSPCA for swimming with dolphins in spin-off show… as charity brands ITV ‘unacceptable’ for causing animals ‘stress and suffering’
The RSPCA have hit out at ITV show The Chasers Road Trip: Trains, Brains and Automobiles for a segment involving swimming with dolphins.
The charity slammed the show – which is a spin-off from mainstay quiz The Chase – telling The Mirror: ‘We were disappointed to see animals being used in this way on The Chasers Road Trip.’
The show saw quiz stars Anne Hegerty, Shaun Wallace and Mark Labbett at the Dolphin Research Centre in Florida swimming with the captive creatures.
The RSPCA have hit out at ITV show The Chasers Road Trip: Trains, Brains and Automobiles for a segment involving swimming with dolphins
‘Swimming with dolphins may seem appealing to holidaymakers but we know that in reality they often have restricted space and can find swimming with people all day very stressful,’ the RSPCA spokesperson said.
‘Keeping dolphins and whales captive deprives them of some of the most basic freedoms and causes them unacceptable levels of stress and suffering. Captivity cannot provide for their needs and they can live shortened lives.’
This was backed up by further disapproval from Humane Society International/UK and The Ethical Bucket List.
The charity slammed the show – which is a spin-off from mainstay quiz The Chase – telling The Mirror: ‘We were disappointed to see animals being used in this way on The Chasers Road Trip’
The show saw quiz stars Anne Hegerty, Shaun Wallace and Mark Labbett at the Dolphin Research Centre in Florida swimming with the captive creatures.
‘Swimming with dolphins may seem appealing to holidaymakers but we know that in reality they often have restricted space and can find swimming with people all day very stressful,’ the RSPCA spokesperson said
ITV responded to the criticism, telling MailOnline: ‘There is no endorsement of mistreatment of animals in this programme.
‘As the show makes clear to viewers, it sets out to challenge and enlighten our understanding of animal intelligence and does so in a way that prompts the Chasers to reflect on the ways animals are treated by humans within our cultures and ask whether this should change.
‘The Dolphin Research Centre where filming took place is a member of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, the international accrediting body for marine parks, aquariums, zoos and research facilities.
‘Keeping dolphins and whales captive deprives them of some of the most basic freedoms and causes them unacceptable levels of stress and suffering. Captivity cannot provide for their needs and they can live shortened lives’
‘ This was backed up by further disapproval from Humane Society International/UK and The Ethical Bucket List. ITV responded to the criticism, telling MailOnline: ‘There is no endorsement of mistreatment of animals in this programme.
‘Alliance-accredited institutions are the gold standard in marine mammal care at which animal experts dedicate their lives to the well-being of the animals in their care and to the rescue and rehabilitation of marine animals in need of help.
‘Louie, one of the dolphins who appeared in the programme, was rescued at a young age after being impacted by an oil spill while in the wild and has since had to remain at the facility, having been too young to develop hunting and social skills to survive in the wild.’
The Chasers Road Trip: Trains, Brains and Automobiles airs Thursdays at 9PM on ITV.