PETA have once again found themselves dictating animal-related photo laws and regulations after their intervention with Shutterstock has led to the agency banning all “unnatural” ape and monkey pictures.
Shutterstock, the world’s largest subscription-based agency for stock images, now forbids any images of apes of monkeys photographed in an environment outside of their natural habitat.
PETA had recently penned a letter to Shutterstock, arguing that undue stress is caused to the animals whenever they’re used for photoshoots. They claim taking photos in an unnatural setting “does harm to conservation efforts, while boosting illegal wildlife trade.”
The animal rights organization added the facial expression that we interpret to be a grin, is in actual fact a “fear grimace,” indicating the animals are in distress. PETA said:
Great apes used in these images are typically torn away from their mothers shortly after birth, causing lifelong psychological trauma to both mother and infant. When they reach adolescence, trainers often discard them in substandard facilities where they may be kept alone in small cages for decades [...] By banning unnatural images of exploited ape and monkey ‘actors,’ Shutterstock has made a huge difference for nonhuman primates, both those in the wild and those suffering in captivity.
Falling in line with PETA’s request, Shutterstock has now placed a ban on any content in its database that includes apes or monkeys wearing clothes, demonstrating trained behavior, interacting with humans, or in any kind of environment they wouldn’t ordinarily find themselves in, such as photo studios. The block extends to images that are photoshopped or created through the use of green screen. On the contrary, photos inside zoos or natural habitats remain permitted.
Lead image by pixcarraldo via Pixabay.
[via Petapixel]
I am favour of this. I cannot think of one good reason why any animal found only in Africa should find its way into a Zoo outside Africa. Migrating animals like wildebeest and elephants have long established annual routes in their natural environment regardless of the risks they face. For these animals, Zoo is a Prison.
"...photos inside zoos or natural habitats remain permitted."
Thanks, Sam, I was thinking long-term. First step to everything
To be honest, I'm torn on the issue of zoos. While I certainly agree with your position regarding the individual animals, the role of zoos in conservation seems to be inestimable. Life just sucks sometimes. :-/
Depends on the zoo. The zoo by me is heavily involved with conservation. The habitats are not cages, but replicas of the animals natural habitat. Additionally, they do not take in any animals except for ones that were 1) kept illegally as domestic pets and cannot be returned to the wild 2) injured and even though healed cannot function in the wild
I lost count the number of times, wild animals have escaped from the so-called conservation Zoo only to be killed later to protect humans. Which brings me to a particular zoo in Copenhagen.
Marius, a healthy male giraffe, was killed, or more to the point, died as a result of euthanasia on February 9, 2014. Visitors, including children, were invited to watch while the giraffe was dissected. How does this help conservation?
It doesn’t, but it’s not the zoo I’m talking about. Some zoos suck, others don’t. What that Copenhagen zoo did is irresponsible, but like it’s best not to judge all people because of the act of one, it’s best not to do the same with zoos. Life is not one extreme or another, despite the comments we see online. There is a large middle area where compromises can be reached and people are trying to do the right thing of fix what the extremes have destroyed.
If an exotic animal was kept by a drug dealer illegally as a pet, which has happened, the animal cannot be released back into the wild. So should we euthanize this animal, or find a conservation zoo to see to its needs for the rest of its life? Either way the animal doesn't win because of human negligence. I'd rather see it go to a zoo like the one by me where they see to its veterinary needs, provide food, and let it live out its life in relative comfort compared to being killed or kept chained to an abandoned building.
Full discloser: I volunteer for the humane society. I see the worst that human's are capable of doing to animals. At least rescues and conservation groups are trying to put it right and help the animals that other humans have wronged.
Yes, because going out and tromping their natural habitat getting pictures is so much better for conservation. Why did I not realize that?
F Peta. Radical organization. Google them.
I despise PETA! However, in this instance, I think I agree with their stand on not stressing out the animals. I cringe every time they accomplish something because I think they are radicals and I don't agree with their ultimate goal of eradicating all animal domestication. Still, we need to treat our domestic animals better! The animals raised for food are treated as if they are not living things.
I’m a liberal and I think PETA should be disbanded. They are just embarrassing themselves at this point.
good i get my bike back.
Well, now I fear that what follows next is that I will not be able to photograph Asians anywhere except Asia, and African Americans may not be photographed anywhere other than Africa. Oh no! I just realized I have photographed African Cichlids in my aquarium! What a kurfuffle!
With absolutely NO respect, I would suggest PETA kiss my ass, get a life, and stop going out of their way to find "problems" where none exist.