Universal Orlando to Close Notorious ‘Animal Actors’ Show

For Immediate Release:
September 3, 2026

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Below, please find a statement from PETA Foundation Managing Director of Captive Wildlife Debbie Metzler in response to reports that Universal Orlando will permanently shutter its “Animal Actors”show—which has used animals provided by notorious supplier Birds & Animals Unlimited (BAU)—on November 3. The move follows the show’s closure at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023.

It’s the end of a shameful chapter at Universal, which for years has forced demeaning tricks out of animals from a supplier that a PETA investigator documented denying sick and injured animals veterinary care, forcing animals to live inside filthy, cramped enclosures, and even ripping the heads off conscious pigeons. The public has made it clear it has no interest in watching abused and neglected animals being forced to perform, and PETA is asking Universal to ensure that not one live animal is used in whatever comes next.

PETA’s investigation into BAU also documented animals who were denied food so that they would be hungry when being trained to do tricks, a mite-infested pigeon slumped over and died after a manager failed to act for hours, and a pig named Lewis, who was “retired” from the show, was left limping for more than a week before a veterinarian was called.

Following pressure from PETA, Universal removed all primates from its live shows in 2014, ending its shameful distinction as one of the last U.S. exhibitors to force orangutans and chimpanzees to perform on stage.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.