\t\t\tShareShare on Facebook<\/p>\n
\t\t\tPostShare on X<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\tShareShare on LinkedIn<\/p>\n
For Immediate Release:
September 3, 2026<\/p>\n
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\tOrlando, Fla. \u2013 <\/p>\n
Below, please find a statement from PETA Foundation Managing Director of Captive Wildlife Debbie Metzler in response to reports that Universal Orlando will permanently shutter its \u201cAnimal Actors\u201dshow\u2014which has used animals provided by notorious supplier Birds & Animals Unlimited (BAU)\u2014on November 3. The move follows the show\u2019s closure at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the end of a shameful chapter at Universal, which for years has forced demeaning tricks out of animals from a supplier that a PETA investigator documented denying sick and injured animals veterinary care, forcing animals to live inside filthy, cramped enclosures, and even ripping the heads off conscious pigeons. The public has made it clear it has no interest in watching abused and neglected animals being forced to perform, and PETA is asking Universal to ensure that not one live animal is used in whatever comes next.<\/p>\n
PETA\u2019s investigation into BAU<\/a>\u00a0also documented animals who were denied food so that they would be hungry when being trained to do tricks, a mite-infested pigeon slumped over and died after a manager failed to act for hours, and a pig named Lewis, who was \u201cretired\u201d from the show, was left limping for more than a week before a veterinarian was called.<\/p>\n Following pressure from PETA, Universal removed all primates from its live shows in 2014, ending its shameful distinction as one of the last U.S. exhibitors to force orangutans and chimpanzees to perform on stage.<\/p>\n PETA\u2014whose motto reads, in part, that \u201canimals are not ours to use for entertainment\u201d\u2014points out that\u00a0<\/a>Every Animal Is Someone<\/a>\u00a0and offers free\u00a0Empathy Kits<\/a>\u00a0for people who need a lesson in kindness.\u00a0For more information, please visit\u00a0PETA.org<\/a>\u00a0or follow PETA on\u00a0X<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>, or\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t