People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is once again calling out the CBS summer series “Zoo” for its use of live animals on set.
The animals rights group issued a statement on Wednesday after the series received a Season 3 pickup from CBS, which read:
If ‘The Walking Dead’ can use animatronics and computer-generated imagery (CGI) to stun audiences with the image of a tiger and not use a real animal, so can ‘Zoo.’ From CGI ants and cockroaches to a beautifully conceived CGI panther, CBS has proved that it can produce the show without using live animals.
With rampant animal abuse in the industry, the network is obligated to do its part to help end it, and if it agrees to use only CGI next season, PETA staff, members, and supporters will be the first to tune in.
PETA has repeatedly criticized the show, which has featured live animals in many of its episodes. The drama is based on the James Patterson novel of the same name, which examines a world in which animals all over the world suddenly turn on human beings in a series of violent attacks.
It is produced by CBS Television Studios. Jeff Pinkner, Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec, Scott Rosenberg, Michael Katleman, James Mangold, Cathy Konrad, James Patterson, Bill Robinson, Leopoldo Gout and Steve Bowen are executive producers.