When the baby animals outgrow their use as photography or play props - sometimes after just a few months - they are often discarded at shoddy roadside zoos, sold into the pet trade, or killed for their meat. This cycle of breeding, exploiting, and then dumping baby animals puts animals at risk and endangers the public.
In response to a legal petition from a coalition of animal protection and conservation organizations, including Big Cat Rescue, The HSUS, IFAW, WWF, Born Free and other animal protection groups, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is requesting comments on whether to prohibit public contact and close encounters with big cats, bears, and primates.