This petition will be delivered to:
Petition by
San Francisco, United States
STOP THE AIRING OF "EATEN ALIVE" AND BOYCOTT THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL.
The Discovery Channel is now committing animal abuse for creating a show called "Eaten Alive." A grown man in a "special suit" is planning on being eaten alive by a Green Anaconda.
This is animal abuse to the highest degree and absolutely disgusting, and could kill the snake - an adult green anaconda cannot fit the width of an adult man's shoulders into it's body.
It once again reinforces the negative stereotype of snakes, which one would think would be the opposite of what Discovery should be trying to do.
Please sign this petition and boycott the Discovery Channel and get this show taken off the air.
I've been fascinated by snakes my entire life, and feel this stunt is void of educational value while ruining Discovery Channel's credibility. The show promotions even show the host holding an anaconda by the head as if he's about to be attacked. That's perpetuating stereotypes that condition people to fear these animals. Humans are not their natural prey!
No matter how it ends, this is animal cruelty from start to finish so I hope you will support me.
This is the same network that 20 years ago brought us Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter. Steve educated and excited people with his passion for reptiles, and made me and many viewers feel that same love for them and support conservation efforts. It is sad to see that this has what become of Discovery programing.
I would like everyone to tweet and post to the Humane Society so a prominent organization can take action.
Please also CALL 1-571-262-4899 to voice your displeasure directly to The Discovery Channel.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
We've now amassed 30,000 signatures to stop this show. Thank you all for standing up against animal abuse! We continue to make news around the world...
http://www.tvguide.com/news/eaten-alive-discovery-protests-1089106.aspx
http://www.avclub.com/article/discovery-channel-discovers-people-dont-want-see-m-211728
Discovery Channel is in hot water over a controversial new special set to air next month. The cable channel unveiled the first teaser for Eaten Alive, in which snake researcher, conservationist and author Paul Rosolie attempts to be Eaten Alive by a Giant Green Anaconda, last week.
Dr. Secor tells Business Insider why he refused to take part in this horrible stunt. http://www.businessinsider.com/stephen-secor-on-discoverys-eaten-alive-2014-11
Dr. Stephen Secor knows snakes. The University of Alabama biology professor studies the physiology and digestion of the creatures, pythons and boas - like the anaconda - in particular. He even acted as a consultant on the (very) fictional film "Anaconda."
check out the latest article posted in io9! 27,000 signatures now!
congrats all - we've hit 20,000 signatures. Pretty impressive to see so many people coming together, from all different points of view, against animal abuse. Keep sharing, tweeting, and posting. Please continue to spread Dr. Secor's story -
Last December I was actually contacted by the producers of this show to assist in its production as the scientific advisor (my research is on the digestive physiology of boas and pythons). When they pitched to me the storyline of a fellow wearing a special suit being eaten by anaconda, I was initially shocked and then sadden that anyone would consider producing such a show.
Last December I was actually contacted by the producers of this show to assist in its production as the scientific advisor (my research is on the digestive physiology of boas and pythons). When they pitched to me the storyline of a fellow wearing a special suit being eaten by anaconda, I was initially shocked and then sadden that anyone would consider producing such a show. I explained at lengths how a show could be produced that would highlight the amazing biology and physiology of the anaconda, one that is accurate and of interest to both the public and biologists alike. I adamantly told them that I would not participate in any project involving someone being swallowed by an anaconda; however I would work with them on an accurate educational/scientific production. Last March they called me back to talk more about a show that was more scientific and accurate rather than one that was based on a gimmick and sensationalism. However, I did not hear from them again, and had hoped that their original idea had died a quiet death. Unfortunately that was not the case.
FYI, the producers of this show did consider an alternative program on the anaconda, one that would be backed by professional scientists. However, Discovery went with working with an amateur naturalist and a show based on a stunt. When I spoke to the producers of this show, I also explained the damage such a show would have on the public’s perception of large constricting snakes and the work of professional scientists. Research over the past couple of decades has demonstrated the amazing physiology of these snakes and the potential for unprecedented breakthroughs in human medicine (just Google python physiology). Rather than highlighting any of this (which they had the opportunity), the Discovery Channel dropped the ball and has taken the presentation of the natural world to a new low. The producers keep trying to convince me that the message Paul Rosoelie was hoping to convey in the show was conservation. Tagging conservation as justification for this show clearly demonstrates that he, the producers, and Discovery have no clue what they are doing.
Sign the petition, write to Discovery, and please promote the accurate and science-based production of shows on the natural world.
Stephen
Stephen M. Secor, PhD
Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Alabama
Stephen Secor, an expert in boa and python digestive physiology, shared with us that Discovery originally asked him to participate in this program. Not only did he decline, but made them aware that it was appalling. Stephen instead offered to help with create a truly educational program on these magnificent animals. We now see the awful direction they chose. Below is a link to his story: https://www.facebook.com/groups/380820802082451/permalink/382180131946518/
NPR has included our petition in their story on this ridiculous stunt. Thank you to NPR for the coverage of this story and spreading the news.
Move over Shark Week: In the latest anything-for-ratings move, Discovery Channel plans to air a show called Eaten Alive that it says features a man in a special protective suit being swallowed whole by a giant anaconda. The teaser for the program (above, sans the money shot) sums up the Dec.
Over 6000 now - and we are making the news - Salon, Huffington Post, AOLnews, and more! Keep spreading the word and sharing this petition. Thank you all so much!
Comprehensive up-to-date news coverage, aggregated from sources all over the world by Google News.
A Facebook group has been created for the public to join. Please join and share with anyone who is against animal abuse and the fear mongering of animal species. Almost 5000 signatures now and a UK upvote on change.org!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/380820802082451/permalink/380823742082157/?pnref=story
Hi everyone - this is amazing. Over 2000 signatures overnight! Again, I ask you reach out to the Humane Society of the US and contact Discovery at the phone #.
One thing I wanted to point out is the picture I used for my profile photo - me holding a green anaconda. Notice The Discovery Channel's photo - the guy is restraining the animal by the head. These 2 pictures next to each other show how off this channel has got it. Thank you all! Keep it going!
You can leave Discovery a voice mail about how terrible this is by calling 1-571-262-4899. Please continue to share this petition with anyone who is against cruelty to animals. Thank you so much!
This show is nothing but animal abuse. All you're doing is promoting fear and misunderstanding of such beautiful creatures.
animal abuse should is always important and unacceptable.
This is not the direction that "edutainment" should go. If this involves a real snake harm will come to it. Unlike the movie "Anaconda", real snakes do not regurgitate at will without potential harm.
I will not watch animal abuse
When I first heard about this, I was disgusted. It's just cruel and pathetic that you decided to pick on a snake for "entertainment".
This is propagating a terrible stereotype about snakes during a huge legal movement to beat down snake owners that could easily cause political harm for the people fighting to keep their pets and their livelihood. In addition the is heinous animal abuse, likely insanely stressful to the snake and also harmful as the snake would either need to be killed to remove the man or have to regurgitate him which is incredibly damaging to the snakes digestive and immune system. All in all its about as barbaric as slave gladiators or pit bull fighting or cockfighting.
The life and well being of a snake should not be put at risk for the ratings of TV cable show.
It is animal abuse!! Once again putting reptiles in a bad light!
All this Is doing is promoting fear and negativity on constrictors! This is not safe for the man or that large Green Anaconda. When did discovery channel become more about fear mongering then education.
I believe the show is bogus. We breed reptiles and I don't like seeing uneducated people trying to scare the world away from the large snakes. People need to be taught the truth about snakes not scared away from them.