Statement From PETA re National Zoo’s Forcible Separation of Panda Cubs From Their Mother

For Immediate Release:
August 25, 2015

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

PETA is condemning the forcible removal of the beloved panda twins, one at a time, from their devoted mother. Please see the following statement from PETA President Ingrid Newkirk:

PETA denounces the removal of the panda cubs from their mother and the public-relations fiasco occurring at the National Zoo, an institution with a long history of manipulating animals in research, splitting apart bonded animals to send to other institutions for exhibit, transferring animals under shady circumstances, and artificially inseminating pandas. Studies show that captive giant panda cubs subjected to early removal from their mothers experience problems with behavioral development from a lack of mother-infant social stimulation. Removing babies as if they’re nothing more than future exhibits to be preserved and treating the mother panda as simply a baby-making machine while disrespecting and disregarding her maternal instincts as well as fighting with her to remove her infants in the name of “animal science” is unethical, unthinkable, and wrong.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.