I'm a spider... get me out of Australia!

[Heddwen]

Yes, it's that time of year again here in the UK. The popular TV show, ' I'm a Celebrity...Get me out of here' graces our screens every night for three weeks.

http://celebrity.itv.com/2010/

I know that lots of European countries have bought into this format. But just in case, it basically involves a group of 'celebrities' fending for themselves in the Australian jungle in a basic camp with minimal supplies. The UK public vote daily for one person to endure a bushtucker trial to earn food for the camp and eventually the celebs are individually voted off leaving one king/queen of the jungle.

These bushtucker trials invariably involve copious amounts of Australian beasties - mini crocs, large spiders, cockroaches, snakes, fishguts, worms and grubs. Often these are eaten alive during the tasks and I wonder about the welfare of these creatures.

Although it may be good TV to watch Shaun Ryder chewing on a Kangaroos penis or large spiders bounce across the silicone enhanced bosom of a Page 3 model, it puzzles me to think how this is allowed and the amount of creatures that have sacrificed their lives for this show.

[Mountainheart]

It puzzles me too: especially given the uproar last year because the contestants killed a rat. It seems that there is a certain size beyond which it isn't OK to kill, but below which you can kill as often and as cruelly as you wish. Bizarre really.

David

[Aurora]

I've never actually watched this show but i'm familiar with it due to it being in the papers repeatedly in regards to animal rights and environmental violations, plus locals near where the show is filmed have also lodged complaints due to noise, traffic and pollution issues too.

unfortunately it seems they have managed to buy their way out of trouble which i find disgusting

[Serenity]

I agree although I've never watched it. Eating raw food also has its dangers unless you really know your bush tucker. There was a much publicised case here in Australia recently about an idiot who ate a slug for a dare and fell seriously ill with a type of brain encephalitis.

[mantis]

My big problem with the show is that the creatures get poured into various boxes,while the contestants leap around.How many rats,snakes get trod on.All these bush creatures just want to get away.They all seem to get thrown around and screamed at.It can't be right that these creatures are not shown respect.
I live off the land,I show everything respect,thats what every creature on this planet deserves.

[Heddwen]

A quick googling around suggests that Australian animal rights groups are aware of the situation, although it's not clear how much effect they are having.

...looks like the jungle bites back. Latest footage on the web shows the moment when ex MP Lembit Opek gets bitten on the hand after shoving a snake around. Hoorah for good old Mother Nature!
Perhaps prayers DO work after all
Anyone for a group invocation of the Ents? Perhaps we need to just sit back and watch the jungle take care of itself

[wyeuro]

respect is the keynote of a hunter-gatherer relationship to the land, and that's what seems to be lacking here. i think it's unrealistic to object to the killing of an animal for food, but getting incompetent clowns to do it for the amusement of viewers too divorced from the reality to get anything out of it except that which degrades them is surely wrong.

[Heddwen]

Well yes, that, the pay check and the boost to a flagging 'C' list celebrity career sadly. If anyone knows where I can register my thoughts and objections, please could you post it here. At the moment I'm watching 'Autumnwatch' instead, where the animals are the stars for all the right reasons.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/uk/