PETA Angry Over Lil Pump Visit To "Tiger King" Star's Zoo & Elephant Stunt

BY Erika Marie 2.1K Views
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Lil Pump, Doc Antle, PETA, Tiger King, Complaint, USDA
The rapper also posed with a tiger, something that PETA hopes the USDA will address following the organization's complaint filing.

It's been a rough few weeks for Lil Pump, but the rapper seems to thrive off of controversy. The Florida artist has recently stirred the political pot in the rap scene after he came forward to endorse Donald Trump for re-election. Pump was even asked to not only attend a Trump rally, but he was invited to the stage by the President himself to say a few words. While Lil Pump wasn't waving his MAGA flag proudly, the rapper was visiting Tiger King star Doc Antle's zoo. There, he attempted to make friends with an elephant who clearly wasn't a fan.

Antle is seen on video coaching Pump onto the elephant's trunk, but after a few seconds of being lifted, the large mammal tossed the rapper back toward the earth. As expected, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has come forward to condemn Lil Pump and Doc Antle's actions.

PETA's associate director of captive animal law enforcement Debbie Metzler has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture where she calls the stunt "exceptionally dangerous." Metzler added, "Not only is coming into direct physical contact with an elephant’s powerful trunk extremely risky, but Lil Pump’s fall could have spooked Bubbles and led to her stepping on Lil Pump as he landed, or she could have bolted through the crowd and injured any number of bystanders."

She also complained that Pump was in direct contact with a young tiger, something that Metzler claimed is against the law. "Antle has repeatedly allowed celebrities to have direct contact with dangerous wild animals, with little to no regard for public safety. PETA has reported Antle for these types of dangerous stunts, including when Antle allowed rap artist Jin Gates to ride in a car with an adult jaguar on his lap."

Neither Antle nor Lil Pump has responded to Metzler's accusations, but the rapper did share a photo of himself with a big cat. Check it out below.

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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