PETA Opposes New York’s Binghamton University Mascot Decision

On Monday, August 12, 2024, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) officially took a stand against the recent decision made by Binghamton University to use a 5-month-old binturong named Bing as a mascot for the school's sports teams.

PETA says that the decision by the University has raised concerns within its organization due to the vulnerability of binturongs as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.

Debbie Metzler, Senior Director of Captive Animal Welfare at the PETA Foundation, emphasized the unsuitability of using a sensitive animal like the binturong as a mascot for sports events. Metzler says that the natural habitat and behaviors of these animals do not align with the loud, crowded, and stimulating environments of stadiums, which can cause significant distress to the animals.

PETA is urging Binghamton University's President, Dr. Harvey Stenger, to reconsider the decision and opt for a more humane approach that aligns with the organization's ethos that "animals are not ours to use for entertainment." As an alternative, PETA suggests utilizing costumed human mascots to engage and excite the crowd while respecting the well-being of sentient beings.

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PETA says its advocacy efforts highlight the shift in societal attitudes towards using animals for entertainment purposes. The organization stressed the importance of recognizing animals as individuals with their own needs, personalities, and rights, rather than mere props for human amusement.

Take A Look At Binghamton University's Mascot Timeline

You know the Binghamton Bearcats, but they've only been the Bearcats for a relatively short period of the university's history. Take a look at the mascots the Southern Tier forgot about.

From Lumberjacks to Thunder Chickens -- Upstate New York Loves Their School Mascots

This is a list of Upstate New York's favorite, colorful, and somewhat wacky school mascots. No matter how weird they get, the schools love them and they adore their mascots and school logos.

What is a thunder chicken? And why did a small rural school pick witches as their team mascot? And what on earth is a "sawyer?"

Take a look at these mascots. Some of them will leave you scratching your head!

Gallery Credit: Chuck D'Imperio