An animal rights group who put a child in a tank for an orca protest have been slammed.
For the PETA stunt, Ashleigh Tasker and her tot dressed up as killer whales.
The mother and son posed outside of a TUI holiday store to shed light on the alleged mistreatment of the sea animals.
READ MORE: Brazen shoplifter who pinched food from M&S before shoving staff out the way jailed
The group claim the small tank resembled the ones some orcas in captivity are born in.
The pair were both fitted with a ball and chain to show that they were trapped there.
It took place in Queen Street, Cardiff.
PETA aimed the display at TUI for reportedly selling tickets to Loro Parque, a marine park in Tenerife, Spain.
According to the activist group, they claim the park is known for being a “notoriously cruel” place for animals.
The display took place on Wednesday (30 Apr), as reported by Need To Know.
But Brits criticised the child being used.
Joanne De Ath said: “I get why you’re doing it and respect that.
“But is it fair on your little one to be in there.”
Chloe Barber added: “But everything you’re against, you’ve just succumbed your child too anyway.”
George said: “Okay I don’t agree with the whole orca thing but is putting a baby in a ‘cage’ really necessary.”
Alex Le Tissier claimed: “Beyond cruel. Set them free.”
Yet another said: “Any place or sports activity where animals are being used to entertain people is wrong.”
In response to the negative reaction, Ashleigh spoke out.
She said: “As a parent, I want my child to live in a kinder world, where animals aren’t made to suffer for human amusement.”
Ashleigh claimed: “I hope this display made passersby consider, perhaps for the first time, what life is like for the orca Morgan.
“Whose baby was born, and will likely die, in a tiny tank just so humans can gawk at them.
“It’s shameful that TUI continues to sell tickets to Loro Parque and other facilities where mother orcas and their babies are denied their freedom.
“My son was content throughout the demonstration.
“And I hope that he’ll look back at the day and be proud that together, we were part of making marine abusement parks history.”
A PETA spokesperson claimed: “A PETA supporter and her baby were confined inside a tiny tank outside the TUI Holiday Store in Cardiff to blast the travel company for selling tickets to Loro Parque.
“A notoriously cruel marine park in Tenerife, Spain.
“The action comes after the birth of a baby orca in late March at the marine _abuse_ment park – and as TUI ramps up the number of flights from Cardiff to Tenerife.
“TUI – whose animal welfare policy is against breeding cetaceans in captivity for commercial purposes – is the last remaining major travel provider in the UK still selling tickets to marine parks.”
Kate Werner, PETA Senior Campaigns Manager, alleged: “Loro Parque is trying to cash in on a baby orca who was born in a prison-like tank.
“Where he’ll be denied any semblance of a natural life and forced to spend his days performing degrading tricks for tourists.
“PETA is calling on TUI to stop propping up these wretched facilities by ending its ticket sales to marine parks.”
TUI and Loro Parque have been approached for comment.
READ MORE: ‘Life changed in a split second when half of my face FROZE – I couldn’t even close my eyes’
