Fort Boyard: 9 associations demand an immediate end to the use of animals, despite the removal of the tigers.

Nine animal protection associations are calling on France Télévisions to permanently end the use of animals in its programs, particularly in Fort BoyardThey sent a letter to Delphine Ernotte, president of the public broadcasting group, demanding a change in the rules governing productions. Among the signatory organizations are L214, One Voice, PETA France, and PAZ. They are asking France Télévisions to "Make the Code of Conduct for film productions legally binding in order to stop using animals for the Fort Boyard program or any other program".

Tigers are extinct, but many animals are still used

The associations point out that the show's iconic tigers were removed in 2022, following the adoption in 2021 of the law against animal abuse. However, they believe this decision did not put an end to the exploitation of animals in the television game show. "Even though the tigers were removed in 2022, supposedly to get ahead of the law passed in 2021, the famous TV show continued to use many wild animals."They denounce this in their letter. Reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates remain present in some events. The associations specifically mention pythons, grass snakes, beetles, iguanas, lizards, and even crocodiles.

"These outdated and cruel practices must stop."

The nine organizations denounce the captivity, training, manipulation and exhibition of animals solely for entertainment purposes. "Whether it's to convey important messages or to make people laugh, no work ever justifies condemning wild animals to a life of captivity and training. These outdated and cruel practices must end.", they write.

They continue: "Regarding the Fort Boyard program, many wild animals are still used for the game. Numerous reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates are deprived of their freedom, handled, and exhibited just for a television game. Pythons, grass snakes, beetles, iguanas, lizards, crocodiles… the number of animals used is staggering."

Conditions deemed incompatible with their needs

The associations claim that the conditions imposed on animals during filming do not allow their natural needs to be properly met. "Animals are sentient beings with important needs that cannot be met in captivity. Depriving them of their freedom simply for entertainment is unacceptable."They point out that this is unacceptable. They also accuse the program of presenting animals as mere television props and of reinforcing the fear surrounding certain species. "The Fort Boyard program reinforces the idea that animals are objects of entertainment. The game also strengthens certain stereotypes, namely that one should be afraid of certain animals."the signatories denounce.

France Télévisions directly called upon to act

Amandine Sanvisens, co-founder of PAZ, is now asking France Télévisions to impose a total ban on the use of animals in the program produced by Adventure Line Productions. "It's time for France Télévisions to ask Fort Boyard to stop exploiting animals. Their place is not in a TV game show."she says. In 2025, PAZ had already launched a petition addressed to France Télévisions and Adventure Line Productions, a company in the Banijay group. The text called for an end to the use of animals in Fort Boyard and in the group's other programs. More than 7,600 people had signed it.