New York tiger selfies ban leaves many single men dateless. The governor of New York Andrew Cuomo has signed a law that makes it illegal for humans to be in direct contact with wild animals at traveling circuses and county fairs, which implies that tiger selfies are now prohibited.
It is now against the law to take tiger selfies in New York.
Tiger selfies became part of a growing trend on dating apps like Tinder and OkCupid, which prompted several states, the most recent one New York to pass laws against the dangerous concept.
The law, which was signed by Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo this week states that it is illegal for residents/tourists to touch, pet or take pictures with tigers, lions or other big cats at circuses, fairs and exhibitions.
Animal exhibitors caught allowing slefies with tigers will be fined.
Cuomo said the piece of legislation was written in order to protect the public from these dangerous carnivores.
Wildlife advocates applauded the move in a statement.
Carole Baskin, the founder and CEO of Big Cat Rescue, based in Tampa, Florida, said that the bill will also make it less interesting for those nomad businesses to have these animals at their shows now that lucrative photo-ops are no longer permitted.
Baskin explained that they often use endangered animals to make money, but once the show is over and the lights are dimmed, the creatures are badly treated and rarely fed.
Big Cat Rescue’s sanctuary has more than 100 big cats and cubs that were rescued or abandoned in very bad shape by their show business owners.
Believe it or not, single men on dating sites like Tinder who are hoping to find their soulmates, think by posting a picture of themselves with the predator they will be viewed as courageous and adventurous.
Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, a Manhattan Democrat who crafted the law said that she decided to take action after a teen was mauled to death in 2005 while trying to get a picture with a tiger.
Rosenthal had an interesting piece of advice for single men out there, take selfies with domestic cats, the ladies will love that.
Please watch Stephen Colbert’s take on the New York tiger selfies below.
