Channel 7’s Sunrise has been accused of animal cruelty after transporting a 200kg tortoise in the back of a van for more than an hour before struggling to manoeuvre him onto the set for a live television segment.

Hugo, a 76-year-old Galapagos tortoise, was unloaded from a transport van in Sunrise’s backlot on Tuesday morning, with producers seen pulling him onto a wheeled dolly so he could be moved onto the set.

The tortoise travelled more than 85km from the Australian Reptile Park on NSW‘s Central Coast, where he lives, to Sunrise’s Sydney studios.

Footage showed Sunrise producers tugging at his shell as his legs dangled above the ground during the awkward unloading process.

Even Sunrise hosts Matt Shirvington and Monique Wright appeared shocked as producers and Australian Reptile Park staff worked to move the giant tortoise from the back of the van.

‘Free the tortoise! Hugo doesn’t know what is going on here,’ Shirvo said.

Monique replied: ‘Poor Hugo!’

His role on the show was to predict the winner of Wednesday night’s State of Origin clash by choosing between two presenters, who each attempted to lure him with carrots.

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Hugo was hauled out of a transport van in Sunrise’s backlot on Tuesday morning as producers struggled to unload him onto a moving dolly, pulling at his shell as his legs flailed to the ground

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Sunrise’s hosts Matt Shirvington and Monique Wright were shocked as cameras kept rolling

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Hugo was wrangled out of the van and lifted onto a moving dolly to be wheeled into the studio

The Australian Reptile Park has long used Hugo as a promotional tool on social media, with the tortoise previously making headlines for predicting the 2022 federal election result by choosing between plates of food representing rival candidates.

During the segment, Hugo gravitated to Wright, who was wearing Maroons colours, over Shirvington in Blue.

While Hugo was chomping on carrot sticks, his handler, Brandon, said that despite being like a ‘solid rock’, he can feel everything through his shell.

‘He can feel all the way through here,’ Brandon said, pointing towards the bottom of his shell.

‘He’s got tactile receptors on every single plate. He loves rubs on the back. I’ve worked with tortoises where if you scratch them right between the ‘scoots’ they actually start shaking their bottom.’

One Sunrise viewer told the Daily Mail they were horrified while watching the segment after seeing producers drag Hugo by his shell.

‘I found it really cruel,’ they said. ‘Dragging a poor innocent tortoise onto set just to entertain people. It’s disgusting.’

Another viewer said: ‘They could have easily done a live cross from his enclosure. It was unnecessary to bring him into the studio.’

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Bondi Vet owner Dr Kate Adams said zoos must strike the right balance between animal welfare and self promotion

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NSW Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst said she was disgusted that the animal was being used for a laugh.

‘Animals are not entertainment. It comes as no surprise that there have been complaints about this segment, as society does not consider it amusing to use animals as props or for a laugh,’ Hurst said.

‘Animals are sentient beings with the ability to feel pain and fear and should be respected. The Australian Reptile Park should have known better and ensured proper safeguards were in place.’

Bondi Vet owner Dr Kate Adams didn’t watch the segment live, but said zoos must strike the right balance between animal welfare and self-promotion.

‘Zoos always need to consider the animal’s welfare first,’ Dr Adams told the Daily Mail.

‘There needs to be people who always consider what is best for the animal – not just the marketing department or the media.

‘If the audience felt uncomfortable watching, then the purpose of the segment has been lost anyway and has negatively impacted the reputation of the organisation – the exact opposite of what was trying to be achieved.

‘That happens when the desire to get a story and promote the organisation takes precedence over what was best for Hugo.’

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The Australian Reptile Park has long used Hugo as a promotional tool on social media

Dr Adams also questioned why the segment wasn’t filmed in a location more suitable for Hugo.

‘Why wasn’t consideration given to how many people were needed to transport him?’ she asked.

‘Or whether transport was required at all, and the film crew could have come to him? Hugo’s welfare should have been the first consideration, not an afterthought.’

PETA Australia Campaigns Advisor Jason Baker said broadcasters and event organisers should leave animals out of these types of ‘gimmicks.’

‘Using Hugo for sports predictions in a TV studio turns a sensitive, slow-moving animal into a prop for spectacle,’ Mr Baker told the Daily Mail.

‘Tortoises would never choose to be shuffled between unfamiliar environments, exposed to bright lights, noise, and constant handling. Treating a living, feeling being as a novelty act for entertainment ignores their basic needs and reinforces the idea that animals exist for our amusement.’

Mr Baker added: ‘Using animatronics or digital technology can easily replace live animals, because we all know that Hugo isn’t really predicting the score. Hugo deserves a quiet, stable life – not one spent being shuttled from place to place for publicity stunts.’

A Seven spokesperson told the Daily Mail: ‘Beloved Hugo participated in the segment under the supervision of his experienced handlers. They are experts in the care and welfare of incredible animals like Hugo, whose wellbeing was top priority at all times.’

The Daily Mail has contacted the Australian Reptile Park for comment.

SOURCE: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15905881/Channel-7s-Sunrise-accused-animal-cruelty-disgusting-State-Origin-stunt-known-better.html