PETA criticizes use of penguins during NHL Stadium Series game
Most debate in Pittsburgh concerning “Penguins” is referring to the hockey team, but the birds themselves caused a small dust-up Thursday between the NHL, the Pittsburgh Zoo and some animal activists.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent a letter to the Penguins organization Thursday criticizing the use of live penguins — which belong to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium — on the ice before the NHL Stadium Series game Saturday at Heinz Field against Philadelphia.
“It's inherently stressful for wild animals like penguins to be hauled around, used as props, and exposed to noisy crowds, with or without explosives going off,” PETA executive vice president Tracy Reiman said in a statement. “PETA is calling for the only Penguins on the ice at Heinz Field to be humans on skates.”
The penguins were used as part of a pregame ceremony and spent most of their time waddling around an auxiliary ice surface next to the one the Penguins and Flyers were about to use.
Specifically, PETA seemed to be referring to a video clip that had been shared on the internet in which the penguins appear to be startled after fireworks go off in the background.
“A noisy arena filled with screaming people and loud fireworks is no place for wild animals,” the letter read.
The NHL, not the Penguins, was responsible for the production elements — including pregame entertainment — of the Stadium Series game. The league did not comment on the issue but referred to a statement from the Pittsburgh Zoo, which defended the presence of the birds.
“The penguins who attended the Stadium Classic are some of the same penguins that participate in our weekend Penguins on Parade event,” the zoo’s statement read. “They are very comfortable around people and noises.”
The zoo also said the penguins were monitored by their keepers and veterinarians during the entire appearance.
As for the fireworks, the zoo said it was only a minor disruption for their birds.
“The loud pop from the pyrotechnical display temporarily startled the penguins and their first reaction, similar to a human’s when startled, [was] they flapped their wings,” the statement read
“It was less than 10 seconds and the penguins were back to normal and exploring and playing on the ice.”