Animal Planet’s claims that they try to protect animals is called into serious question when they air shows like their popular “Call of the Wildman.” One of its episodes injured three baby raccoons, and they did so within the station’s guidelines. The station refuses to change the rules that allowed this to happen. You can view the piece at http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/call-of-the-wildman/videos/raccoons-at-the-raceway.htm.
Granted, raccoons and other animals that wander into human space are pests to us, even though most often we “invite” them by leaving out pet food, water, and garbage. But there are less injurious ways—like traps—to capture them. Do they really need to be chased around and stuffed roughly into bags? If they’re hurt, when released back into the wild, what chance of survival do they have?
If you’ve seen the show you’ll notice that such rough treatment, without regard to the animals’ safety, is the norm of this group. In fact, the rougher, the better, it seems, because that’s what gets ratings…which, rather than the animals, seems to be Animal Planet’s chief concern.