Loro Parque labels PETA and WAP as 'Eco-Terrorists'

Loro Parque branded animal activist groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the World Animal Protection (WAP) as "eco-terrorists" yesterday (Tuesday), emphasising the necessity of approaching animal welfare from a scientific perspective rather than "through marketing and emotions."

The owners of Loro Parque expressed these sentiments during a forum focused on their activities. Present at the event were Wolfgang and Christoph Kiessling, the president and vice president of the group, respectively, along with Javier Almunia, the director of the Loro Parque Foundation.

Wolfgang Kiessling expressed the need to clarify certain matters, noting the emergence of a powerful and aggressive new industry in recent years. He argued that some companies, fundamentally marketing-oriented, have morphed into activists, albeit essentially being "eco-terrorists" against whom they battle daily. Kiessling highlighted their tactics of attacking for donation money, employing lies, and engaging in irregularities while stressing Loro Parque's commitment to transparency and non-concealment.

Christoph Kiessling acknowledged the strong connotation of the term "eco-terrorist," but asserted its accuracy in describing these groups. He criticised PETA's actions, including boycotting Jet2's shareholder assembly and threatening to boycott their operations due to collaborations with Loro Parque, which manages a zoo in Puerto de la Cruz and an aquarium in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Kiessling accused PETA of extremism and incompetence, citing their high euthanasia rates for animals in shelters and their focus on emotional campaigning rather than genuine expertise. He criticised the minimal allocation of PETA's budget to animal shelters and labelled their accusations against Loro Parque as baseless attempts to appeal emotionally to the public.

From left to right: Christoph Kiessling, Wolfgang Kiessling, and Javier Almunia

Kiessling highlighted the urgent danger facing nature, with potentially one million species at risk of extinction in the coming years. He stressed the importance of conservation centres, asserting that Loro Parque is not merely a zoo but a genetic reserve that promotes scientific research, conservation efforts both in and out of natural habitats, rehabilitation, awareness, and education.

Javier Almunia argued that PETA and WAP misappropriate the concept of animal welfare, basing their stance on prejudices and political interests rather than scientific principles. He claimed that their agenda aims to close zoos, eliminate pets, and end animal production.