During a school assembly in 2002, a kindergartener at Scotts Valley's Baymonte Christian School in California was mauled by a Bengal tiger. The tiger lunged at the child—who received 55 staples for two cuts on his scalp—and enveloped his head in her mouth. The exhibitor, Zoo to You, was later fined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the incident. Despite this near deadly incident, California schools continue to host big cat displays, putting their students in grave danger.

Among the animal exhibitors dragging animals to California schools is Sid Yost's Amazing Animal Actors. Yost has been repeatedly cited by the USDA for failure to meet the minimum standards of the federal Animal Welfare Act, including for failing to handle animals in a way that ensures public safety and the welfare of the animals.

As evidenced by the recent horrific mauling of Roy Horn, of Siegfried & Roy fame, big cats (and other dangerous exotic animals) are wild animals whose instincts remain intact, regardless of their time in captivity. Since 1990, there have been at least 177 dangerous incidents involving captive big cats in 36 states. Twelve adults have been killed, and scores more have been mauled. Three children have lost their lives and more than 50 others have lost limbs or suffered other injuries. The animals are victims, too—at least 66 big cats have been killed in the wake of attacks.

Travel conditions and extreme confinement are both physically and psychologically harmful for animals used in traveling displays. Without proper exercise and diets, animals become listless and prone to illness; many resort to neurotic behaviors, such as pacing. In their natural habitats, wild animals graze, hunt, seek out mates, and raise families. These behaviors are completely thwarted in captivity.

Oftentimes, the animals are prematurely removed from their mothers, which denies them proper nutrition and the natural socialization process required for normal development. In 2003, three 11-day-old tiger cubs became sick and died in Colorado after a traveling zoo subjected them to transport and mishandling. Animal protection organizations, exotic animal experts, and many zoo officials agree that using animals like props is inhumane and misinforms children about their natural behaviors and needs.

What You Can Do

The California State Board of Education Policy #01-02 makes clear that students enrolled in public schools have the right to a safe environment-that should include the ability to attend school without fear of being attacked by wild animals recklessly brought to school campuses.

Please send a polite letter to the superintendent of the California Department of Education, voicing your support for a policy that protects students from potentially dangerous or wild animals who may be brought to school campuses by animal exhibitors. Be sure to mention if you work in the field of education or are a parent of students in California schools:

Jack O'Connell, Superintendent
California Department of Education
1430 N St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-319-0800
916-319-0100 (fax)
joconnell@cde.ca.gov

Please also contact the executive director of the California Association of Independent Schools to ask that it adopt a similar policy for its member schools.

Mimi S. Baer
Executive Director
California Association of Independent Schools
1351 Third St., Ste. 303
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-393-5161
310-394-6561 (fax)
mbaer@caisca.org

If a school in your area hosts an exotic animal display, contact PETA for educational materials to encourage them to establish a policy against these cruel and dangerous exhibits.

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