Animal rights activists are urging Rotherham MBC to take swift action against reptile and amphibian traders who have been operating at events held at the Magna Science Adventure Centre. The Animal Protection Agency and Freedom for Animals have collected evidence of illegal animal sales at markets held on June 16, 2024 and September 17, 2023. A third market is scheduled to take place on September 1, 2024, and activists are calling on the Magna Science Adventure Centre to make it the last one they host.
The sale of pet animals at market stalls has been prohibited since 1983 due to concerns about animal welfare. It is believed that these makeshift conditions cannot adequately safeguard the welfare of captive reptiles and amphibians, who require specific environments to thrive. However, at exotic pet markets, these animals are often confined to small, sterile plastic containers without access to food, water, or proper temperature and lighting levels.
Despite the ban on pet animal sales at markets, there has only been one prosecution for this offense in over four decades. This highlights a significant failure in local authority monitoring and regulation. Furthermore, many venues, both large and small, are now refusing to host reptile markets due to concerns about animal welfare and legal issues. Activists are calling on Rotherham MBC and the Magna Science Adventure Centre to take a firm stand against unscrupulous animal dealers who operate through these events.
Elaine Toland, Director of the Animal Protection Agency, stated, “Trying to recreate a wild environment for these animals in zoo-like enclosures is extremely challenging, if not impossible. But at one-day events like these, where the animals are kept in small plastic tubs, it is completely out of the question. The suffering endured by these animals is unimaginable and unnecessary, and the law is in place to prevent this type of trading, but only if it is properly enforced.”
Laura Walton, Campaigns Manager at Freedom for Animals, added, “These markets pose significant welfare issues for reptiles and amphibians. The stressful transportation, cramped spaces, inappropriate lighting and temperature, loud noise, and lack of refuge, coupled with increased handling and interaction from event attendees, creates an incredibly stressful environment for these sensitive animals. It is unacceptable, and more must be done to protect them from harm.”
Dr. Charlotte Regan, Wildlife Campaign Manager at World Animal Protection, also spoke out against reptile markets, stating, “These events are inherently associated with a number of highly concerning animal welfare issues. Reptiles and amphibians are sentient animals, capable of experiencing a range of emotions and feelings, such as pleasure, pain, joy, and fear. It is not acceptable to compromise their welfare for the sake of buying and selling them like products over market stalls. We call on the Magna Science Adventure Centre to stop hosting these outdated and controversial events.”
This news story is distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/.
