PETA Statement re Tiger Deaths at Medan Zoo

Please see the following statement from PETA Senior Vice President Jason Baker regarding the recent death of five tigers at Medan Zoo:

It’s heartbreaking to hear that five tigers have died in just a few months at the decrepit Medan Zoo. Sentenced to a life of captivity, these intelligent, sociable animals suffered in a confined space and were denied dietary and social enrichment, adequate veterinary care, and everything natural and important to them—from choosing a mate to roaming free.

In nature, tigers cover territories of up to 1,000 square kilometers in environments that are spatially complex and dynamic—a stark contrast to the cramped, barren enclosures at Medan Zoo. Keeping these majestic wild animals in unnatural surroundings a fraction of the size of their typical home range is cruel and causes them chronic stress and psychological distress, which can be seen in the stereotypic behavior many tigers in captivity exhibit, such as pacing.

PETA urges the public to recall the pandemic lockdown periods and consider how they’d feel being locked up for life. By refusing to buy tickets to these facilities, consumers can usher in a more compassionate future by helping to end the exploitation of tigers and other animals displayed in pens, cages, or tanks.

PETA urges Medan Zoo to surrender the eight tigers who remain there—including several who are reported to be extremely ill—before it’s too late. The group stands ready to help move the animals to a sanctuary that would provide them with the veterinary care they desperately need and a larger, more natural environment that allows for roaming and other normal behavior.

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