Efteling would do well to remove horses and other animals from carousels, says animal rights organization Peta Nederland. Animal-themed carousels “unintentionally celebrate the exploitation of sentient beings,” it said. The American Peta has already made a similar appeal to the largest producer of merry-go-rounds in the United States.
It is no longer timely to exploit animals for our entertainment, says advisor Janneke Hogervorst on behalf of Peta Nederland. “Amusement parks don’t mean it that way, of course, but those merry-go-rounds do give children the feeling that it is normal to use animals purely for our pleasure. We therefore endorse Peta US’s call. It may be symbolic, but it is of enormous value.”
The Efteling is one of the largest amusement parks in Europe and therefore an important showcase for the Netherlands. “The amusement park has an exemplary function and an enormous influence on other amusement parks. If it just indicates that it is considering this or wants to think about it, then we are starting a very important discussion. Times are changing,” says Hogervorst.
“People are going to fall for this”
On a merry-go-round with giraffes and elephants, children can get the idea that “animals are only there for our entertainment, while animals can experience fear, pain, joy and love just like us.” The requested ban also applies to other animals, such as camels, elephants and dolphins. Peta proposes to equip the merry-go-rounds with cars, airplanes, bulldozers, spaceships or rainbows, shooting stars and brooms from now on.
Animals that are used for riding in real life, such as dolphins and camels, suffer physically. “When we teach children to have respect and compassion for all living sentient beings, we create a more just and compassionate world,” said Ingrid Newkirk, president of Peta US. She is not only targeting producer Chance Rides, other manufacturers must also stop using merry-go-rounds with animal themes.
It is good that Peta Netherlands is drawing attention to animal suffering in this way
Doesn’t that go very far? It’s more or less about fantasy creatures, right? “We can imagine that people will be upset about this,” says Peta Nederland. “It is also our style to stimulate these kinds of discussions in a slightly provocative way. We don’t mind that. The conversation is the most important thing for us.”
But will the seesaw (a device with a spring, ed.) no longer be allowed? “Uh, yeah. In practice, we don’t sit on chickens either, so that might be less of a problem, because it doesn’t match reality. But the seesaw also sends the wrong signal that we can use animals for entertainment.”
Efteling thinks it is an “interesting and special discussion” to follow. “We think it is very important that there are organizations that are committed to animal welfare,” says a spokesperson. The amusement park does not rule out that something will be changed in the future. “We will continue to closely monitor developments.”
Also Lego farms wrong
Peta Nederland not only looks at amusement parks and fairs, but also points out certain Lego toy boxes. “There is a Lego farm set in which cows and pigs walk around happily and peacefully. That does not match the reality in which animals in the livestock industry lead miserable lives and meet a terrible end. Children are misled in this way.”
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