Protecting Tigers & Big Cats: An interview with Born Free USA CEO Angela Grimes

The popularity of Netflix's Tiger King has created an opportunity to discuss the problems with personal ownership of big cats -- like tigers, lions, and panthers -- as 'pets' and/or objects of profit in the USA. In this 23-minute interview from May 2020, host Carrie Freeman interviews Born Free USA CEO Angela Grimes who explains what the Tiger King show doesn't show -- the suffering inherent for cats in being taken from their mothers as cubs and handled by people and tourists for entertainment and profit. And then when the cats are no longer most profitable or cute and safe to handle, they may be sold or killed (which can be for their body parts to be traded globally). They have no control over their own lives and futures. Inadequate legislation varies by state and allows these wild animals to be sold over the internet like commodities, continuing the breeding cycle. Angela explains the bipartisan support for proposed federal legislation, The Big Cat Public Safety Act -- a bill that would prohibit the private possession of big cat species and ban public contact with big cats throughout the USA. She encourages us to ask our own Congressional representatives to cosponsor and support the bill.

Find out ways to help #keepwildlifeinthewild at www.bornfreeusa.org to support compassionate conservation of wild animals.

Tune in to "In Tune to Nature" radio show Wednesdays from 6:30-7pm EST on wrfg.org (Radio Free Georgia) and in Atlanta on 89.FM. www.facebook.com/intunetonature