This Friday, an all-boys private high school in Florida held a prom that’s gaining a lot of national and international attention for featuring a real-life caged tiger and a fennec fox as photo-op props.
The theme for this year’s prom at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami was “Welcome to the Jungle”, hence the school’s decision to include the tiger, performers, and other wild animals like this fox among their attractions.
The event, held at the DoubleTree Hilton Miami Airport Convention Center, upset several students and parents after seeing the animals.
The tiger was placed inside of a cage at the center of the room as performers presented different acts, including a fire dance.
Photos of the prom and the smiling faces of attendees spread like wildfire, and people are questioning the reasoning behind having wild animals to the event.
Marie Christine Castellanos, the sister of one of the high school students, said that the event was “shameful” and that she was disturbed by footage taken of the dance.
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“Tigers are wild animals. They don’t need to be displayed as objects for our amusement. They don’t like the fire, the cages, the music, the teenagers with the cameras,” she said. “They didn’t ask for that, they don’t have voices.”
The high school’s principal, David Pugh, released a statement Monday morning regarding the incident: “Although it was in a controlled environment and handled by professionals approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, we understand how some individuals may be concerned.”
“Moving forward, we will evaluate our current policies and procedures in the planning and management of school events, including the impact these events have on others,” Pugh added.
He apologized for the animals, saying the school has “learned a great deal from this experience.”