TAMARA Ecclestone has been slammed by PETA for posing with tigers because they’re “living in hell” at a zoo.
The 33-year-old Formula One heiress had taken four-year-old daughter Sophia for a day out at Chessington World of Adventures Resort on Saturday.
But animal rights charity PETA says the Tamara’s World star shouldn’t promote institutions where tigers are being held in captivity, branding them as “lousy prisons”.
A spokesperson for the charity told MailOnline: “Captivity is hell for tigers, who pace back and forth in enclosures that are, on average, 18,000 times smaller than their natural range and whose every decision – including what to eat, when to sleep, where to roam, and whom they have as a mate – is controlled by human beings.
“We urge Tamara, who does care about animals but surely doesn’t understand what she’s participating in, to recognise these institutions for what they are – lousy prisons with living exhibits.
“And we ask her to switch to supporting campaigns that protect animals in their native habitats, because all the publicity gimmicks in the world won’t prevent species from becoming extinct.”
Sun Online has contacted Tamara’s representatives while Chessington World Of Adventures Resort told us: “We of course appreciate and respect the often strong and emotive views of others regard Zoos and the subject of keeping animals in captivity.
“That said, PETA has made no attempt to visit or discuss this matter with our experts. In fact, one of the biggest challenges in caring for tigers in a Zoo setting, is how to recreate their natural, dynamic and complex habitat in a static enclosure.
“We believe Land of the Tiger and its innovative, specially designed enclosure formed of three habitats, featuring European first overhead trails allowing the tigers’ freedom to roam, sets a new standard for animal care and welfare – which is always our priority. ”
Pictures showed Bernie Ecclestone’s daughter teasing one of the park’s wild cats with a long rod and feeding it through the bars with a pair of tongs.
Four endangered Amur tigers named Olga, Tsar, Kalinka and Kyra, have been brought from Sweden to a new multi-million pound home at Chessington, which will feature an innovative enclosure with Europe’s first overhead trails.
Ahead of their arrival, British zoo keepers were able to video call their Swedish counterparts to share key insights into the big cats’ lives and wellbeing through, including the way they interact with their favourite toys, car tyres and giant balls.
The Amur tigers – of which there are only 500 left in the world – are also frequently treated to new smells and objects to explore, such as branches the giraffe have come into contact with and logs from the rhino enclosure.
Speaking before they arrived on British soil, Oli Whiteway, senior carnivore keeper at Chessington, said: “It’s been amazing getting to know the tigers’ individual personalities.
“We can see that Tsar, the male of the group, is a big house cat at heart.
“Whereas the girls are much more playful and little Kalinka is always sneaking around and getting up to mischief.
“It’s a joy to see them via the screen and we’ve been able to let them hear our voices and practice our calls. We really can’t wait to welcome them to their new home!”
To mark their arrival, Chessington has built a new log flume ride with a 15m drop through a giant tiger carved into a rock.
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Tamara, who last week shocked This Morning viewers after admitting she allows Fifi to sleep in her bed, was joined by a host of stars at the Surrey park on Saturday.
Singer Michelle Heaton and pal Nicole McClean attended the VIP launch of the Land of the Tiger, along with their children and husbands.
TV presenters Helen Skelton and Laura Hamilton were also pictured at the enclosure, while Jacqueline Jossa was also in attendance.
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