Nadine Lustre speaks up against exploitation of zoo animals

Nadine Lustre. Image: Instagram/@nadine

Actress Nadine Lustre weighed in on the exploitation of zoo animals which causes them “stress and depression” as they are held captive for people’s enjoyment and profit.

Lustre took to Instagram to share videos of the captive wild animals that had been “drugged” to keep them in cages.

“You probably don’t know this but most of the time, big animals in zoos are drugged or physically threatened so they stay calm enough so people can take photos with them. It’s heartbreaking because it strips them of their natural behavior and well-being,” underscored the actress.

The “Deleter” star stressed that the welfare of the zoo animals is being taken advantage of when, in fact, they should be enjoying their natural habitat out in the wild.

“Zoos often confine these majestic creatures to small enclosures, causing stress and depression. While marketed as conservation, zoos frequently prioritize profit over animal welfare, exploiting them for entertainment rather than allowing them to live freely in the wild, where they truly belong,” she affirmed.

Image: Instagram/@nadine

In a report by National Geographic, an animal welfare group has flagged hundreds of zoos for mistreating animals as they are forced to pose or behave for photos and to perform or amuse zoo visitors.

Lustre, also a known advocate of mental health and an environmentalist, earlier voiced her support for the Masungi Georeserve as it faces commercial encroachment and the planned cancellation of its contract with the government.

In supporting Masungi, Lustre called the cancellation threat from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources a “travesty of justice,” saying it “would only benefit claimants, land grabbers, and others who opposed environmental conservation.”

Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio has also thrown his support for Masungi Georeserve as he urged Philippine President Bongbong Marcos to intervene and help protect the area outside Manila.