Friday, 20 November 2020

I'm a Celebrity Get Those Aliens Out of Here!

Like Iolo Williams, I am somewhat worried about aspects of the 2020 series of 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here' (https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-11-15/im-a-celebrity-returns-cliff-bug-news/). Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been transposed, from the Australian rainforest, to Gwrych castle in North Wales. He are assured that it includes all the 'well-loved' tasks with creepy-crawlies etc (which I have never liked, especially for the carnage inflicted on the beasties). Many of the organisms being used in the programme, are species alien to the UK, so what are the Environmental Agencies of Wales doing to ensure that none of them escape into the 'wild'? We have had enough problems with alien introductions. One might also ask whether animal welfare issues have been properly assessed. Snakes also feature in some tasks. These animals are vertebrates and have legal protections from cruelty. People (even celebrities) crawling into 'vaults' with them for the entertainment of TV audiences is surely stressful. I thought we were tougher on animal welfare than the Australians!

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