Bowery Collective Nixes Alligator Photo Ops After PETA Appeal

Summer-Themed ‘Boco Resort’ Cocktail Party Will No Longer Include Wild-Animal Display

For Immediate Release:
May 13, 2016

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

See ya never, alligator: Less than an hour after PETA pointed out that alligators can suffer from extreme stress, become ill, and even die when used as photo props, Bowery Collective informed PETA that it had canceled plans to offer live alligator photo ops at a cocktail party on the Bowery Hotel’s terrace on Sunday.

In thanks for Bowery Collective’s swift decision, PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—is sending the group a box of delicious alligator-shaped vegan chocolates.

“PETA is raising a glass to Bowery Collective’s alligator-free cocktail party,” says PETA Foundation Deputy Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Brittany Peet. “With fabulous drinks and fantastic music on a stunning terrace, Sunday’s party will prove that top event planners don’t rely on terrorized live animals to entertain their guests.”

In its letter to Bowery Collective, PETA pointed out that alligators should be swimming and basking in the sun, not confined to tiny decrepit transport cages, shuttled from venue to venue, paraded around with their jaws taped shut, and handled by tipsy cocktail party guests. PETA also noted that New York City law requires exhibitors to apply for a permit to host wild animals at least 10 business days in advance of an exhibition, which Bowery Collective’s planned alligator exhibit apparently had not done.

Just last week, Heineken also canceled a planned appearance by an alligator exhibitor after hearing from PETA.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.