A study carried out by biologist Antônio Carvalho, a specialist in combating wildlife trafficking at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS Brasil) , with the participation of biologist Igor Morais, institutional coordinator of Eco Park in Foz do Iguaçu, on the mistreatment of animals on social networks, was published in the November issue of the American magazine Biological Conservation, with the title: "Show of horrors: digital content creators profit from animal cruelty on YouTube".
The report shows the results of the biologists' research into 411 videos from 39 countries. More than 50 hours of videos were monitored.
The study published by the magazine found that between April 2022 and August 2023, digital content creators profited around US$1.14 million from animal abuse in sponsored videos. And that the mechanisms for removing abusive content are inefficient.
"Hundreds of species are the target of hunting and fishing experiments using electric shock and chemical reagents, as well as crushing, cruel slaughter, forced fights, staged rescues and feasts with still-living animals for online entertainment," the researchers warn.
The aim of the study is to help put an end to this practice and to draw the attention of advertisers who often unknowingly end up funding the exploitation of animals through their digital marketing campaigns
Glamour
In addition to these situations of visible cruelty, species are also used in productions that glamorize animal life in adverse conditions, but with hidden suffering.
"In some cases, we can see that channels function as clandestine zoos with low standards of care, which profit through their online productions," explain the researchers.
People die producing videos
A Biological Conservation also published that the production of the videos puts animal life and people's safety at risk. There have been more than 120 recorded incidents with elephants due to uncontrolled interactions or protective barriers: 21% resulted in human death.
In the case of tigers, it's even worse. At least one fatal incident is recorded every year in substandard zoos in the United States, with 42% of the victims being visitors.
"It is important that the public is aware of this information in order to decide the type of institution they visit and support. There are zoos with excellent standards of care and controlled interactions for educational purposes, while others do not," the authors warn.
Read the full article in the magazine:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320723004226?dgcid=author
The Eco Park
The Eco Park is dedicated to showing the relationship between humans and animals, encouraging connection and respect for nature. It is open daily from 9am to 5:30pm. The presentations of the Birds of Prey and the Criollo Horse take place at two times: at 10am and at 3.30pm, lasting approximately 1.5 hours. Between these times it is possible to visit the Mini Farm and interact with the animals through guidance from the staff.
