Earlier this week, news and video started making the rounds showing a real life condor who got loose and starting causing a bit of havoc prior to an ECHL game between the Bakersfield Condors, hence the condor present at the arena, and the Las Vegas Wranglers.
Bakersfield decided to bring out an actual condor during the national anthem as a stunt to help gets the fans and players riled up before the puck dropped. Unfortunately, the condor was none too pleased with the situation and dismounted from her handler and proceeded to walk across the ice. The handler chased the bird and eventually caught her, but took a rough fall prior to reaching the red carpet, thus allowing the condor to get loose…again. Players tried to help corral the loose bird, but she eventually flew into Bakersfield’s bench and then began a walk down the hallway into the dressing room.
Evidently the condor had had enough of the festivities.
And neither was PETA.
The association dedicated to the ethical treatment of animals was not pleased with the fact that Bakersfield brought a condor out onto the rink as part of the team’s pre-game event, nor were they happy with the sloppy handling of the bird.
“Anyone who has watched a video of this incident can see that a raucous ice-hockey arena is the last place that a wild condor belongs,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is calling on the Condors to make Friday’s stunt the last of its kind—before more animals are terrorized and more people are hurt.”
PETA even sent a letter to the team’s president, Matthew Riley, asking for the team to not use real animals at future events. Here’s a copy of the letter:
Matthew Riley
President
Bakersfield Condors
Dear Mr. Riley,
I’m writing on behalf of PETA and our more than 3 million members and supporters regarding the incident that occurred during the Bakersfield Condors’ Friday night game when a condor named Queen Victoria got loose in the arena when she was brought out onto the ice. A sports arena is no place for a bird—or any other animal, for that matter—and we are asking you to respect wildlife and not use live animals at future games.
Try to imagine how terrifying it was for this bird to be subjected to an alien environment with blindingly bright lights, thousands of screaming people, and a booming sound system. Birds can easily become frightened and disorientated in such situations, and this bird or a person in the stadium could have been seriously injured when she took flight. Even when accidents don’t occur, Birds N Beasts Inc. and similar outfits cause wildlife to suffer by using them as toys. They can easily become stressed when caged and shuffled from venue to venue.
In nature, condors can travel up to 150 miles a day in search of food; they are among the largest birds in the world and need to soar freely over wide open spaces. Please also consider what message this stunt sent to children who were in the audience. Rather than being in awe of the capabilities and magnificence of wild species, our youngsters are taught that such disrespectful “entertainment” uses are still somehow acceptable.
Nowadays, most professional and college sports teams use costumed humans as mascots—and for good reason. We hope you’ll agree that there are plenty of other, better ways to foster excitement for your team than by using live animals. May we please hear that you’ll refrain from using live animals at future Condors events? That would be good news indeed. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Tracy Reiman
Executive Vice President
No word yet if the team plans to stop using animals in upcoming games.