Statement: PETA Blows Whistle On Odell Beckham’s Misguided Photo Op

For Immediate Release:
January 8, 2019

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

Below, please find a statement from PETA Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Brittany Peet in response to a video posted on Instagram showing Odell Beckham Jr. “playing football” with a chimpanzee and big cats apparently supplied by the notorious roadside zoo Myrtle Beach Safari:

These sensitive and much-abused animals belong with their families in nature, not pimped out as props by shameless roadside zoos. We’re sure that Odell Beckham Jr. had no idea that the sleazy safari park where this young chimpanzee is kept has a lengthy record of violating federal law and uses great apes and big-cat cubs in cheap publicity stunts like this. These encounters are incredibly dangerous, and PETA urges everyone—including Beckham, who certainly doesn’t want another injury—to steer clear of cruel facilities that exploit animals.

PETA’s motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment.” For more information, please visit PETA.org.