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Binghamton University is apparently throwing its core values of “unity” and “excellence” out the window, as the school is planning to exploit a 5-month-old binturong (or bearcat) named Bing as a mascot for sporting events.
In a letter to the school’s president, PETA urged him to use only costumed human mascots: “Unlike other animals, humans can lead cheers, interact with crowds, and pump up the team—all willingly.” Binghamton University already has a mascot named Baxter—a human in a bearcat costume—so it can easily continue to celebrate school spirit without exploiting another animal.
Using Live Animals as Mascots Is Cruel and Dangerous
Binturongs are sensitive animals who lead largely solitary lives high in the rainforest canopies of Southeast Asia. Forcing Bing into a stadium full of bright lights, screaming fans, and flash photographers would likely cause him extreme distress.
Using live animals as props at sporting events has been a recipe for disaster. At the 2019 Sugar Bowl, Bevo the longhorn steer charged at—and nearly trampled—Uga the bulldog. That same year, a running back crashed into Mississippi State University’s mascot, Bully the bulldog. Many other animals have sustained injuries while being paraded around at sporting events. Even in the best circumstances, using live-animal mascots is speciesist and cruel.
Live Animal Mascots May Come From Seedy Suppliers
In addition to racking up a laundry list of federal Animal Welfare Act violations, Animal Adventure Park—the roadside zoo that supplied Bing to Binghamton University—shamelessly livestreamed a giraffe named April giving birth. The tourist trap used her as a breeding machine for years before she died in 2021.
Here’s What YOU Can Do
Animals don’t want to be forced to “perform” in front of raucous crowds at school events. If your university exploits live-animal mascots, urge your administration to switch to using costumed human mascots instead. Don’t support or attend events that exploit live animals for entertainment.
You can take action by urging Binghamton University to use only costumed human mascots and to send Bing to an accredited sanctuary:
