A store worker crammed herself into a cage dressed as a chameleon as part of a campaign against animal cruelty.Lush Cosmetics assistant manager, Kimberley Martyn, 20, spent an hour inside a cage just over half a meter wide on Tuesday August 11, to convince people that reptiles should not be kept as pets.
The Festival Place store joined with the Animal Protection Agency to try dispel the perception that reptiles are easy to keep as well as highlighting the soaring unlicensed trade in wild reptiles.
Ms Martyn said of her protest: “It was horrible, the cage was just big enough for me to get in, but it's just how the animals are shipped to Britain and are moved around.
“I wouldn't do it again in a hurry but it certainly does make you more aware of what's happening.”
The partnership says their main aim is to educate the public about the issue and highlight facts such as 90 per cent of wild reptiles do not survive their first year in captivity.
Elaine Toland from the APA, said: “Life for many captive reptiles is unimaginable. In terms of their need for sufficient space and a varied diet it is akin to spending the rest of your life in a toilet cubicle and having the same meal, every mealtime, pushed under the door."
However, a Basingstoke snake and lizard keeper, who did not want to be named, said that much of what is said is unfair to the majority of reptile owners.
She said: “There are always those who don't look after their animals and they are the ones who make the news and are in the minority.
“There are many people in Basingstoke who keep reptiles which you don't realise because they have to be kept indoors.
“The vast majority know how to look after their animals well. Most of the reptiles bought in the UK are captive bred. This may of not been the case 30 years ago, but things have changed since then.
Lush's campaign manager, Leonie Davies said: “Countless animals are living short, miserable lives as a result. We hope that by raising the profile of this important issue through our network of stores we can lessen the demand for reptiles as pets.”
The nationwide Lush campaign ended on Friday August 13 with their special 'bath ballistic' remaining on sale until the end of the month, proceeds are donated to the APA.
