A tiger was spotted Thursday afternoon on Green Street — sort of.
A female PETA, or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, volunteer painted in tiger stripes weathered the cold as she held up a sign that said “Wild animals don’t belong behind bars.”
PETA campaign coordinator Tracy Patton said the “tiger” was meant to represent the animals employed by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, who are coming to the Assembly Hall March 18 through 20.
“(There are) confound and live fearful and lonely lives. People are outraged to find out that Ringling Bros. beats their animals,” Patton said.
The group was out from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m and drew the interest of many students on campus.
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“The response was great. Everyone was excited,” Patton said. “We tried to get here a couple of weeks before just to call on people to boycott.” Patton said.
The naked tiger and the demonstrations travel nationwide to protest circuses that use physical tactics, according to Patton. PETA will be back in Champaign on March 18 when the circus comes to town.
“There are alternative cruelty-free tactics that use willing human performers such as Cirque du Soleil,” Patton said.
