PETA Slams Jason Momoa Over 'Cookie Kiss' Grizzly Bear Video

PETA has criticised Jason Momoa after he shared a video in which he feeds a grizzly bear a cookie with his mouth.

The bear in question, Tag, features in the new Apple TV+ series See in which it fights Momoa.

The 40-year-old actor shared a video on Instagram of him feeding Tag a cookie with his mouth, captioning the footage: "The things we do for our ART. SEE is out. Please watch on Apple TV+. The bear needs to know your scent. So here's my cookie kisses big guy. Love you tag. Aloha Baba Voss."

While the video received a lot of love online, there were also comments condemning the actor for his actions.

One person said: "That's animal abuse. The bear should be free. Please educate yourself. Having wildlife in cages is not cute, it's ignorant and abusive... not cool! The poor bear."

Another added: "Man, that bear should be in its natural environment."

Animal rights organisation PETA has also condemned the video, urging Momoa to refuse to work with wild animals in the future.

Instagram/Jason Momoa

Elisa Allen, director of PETA UK, told LADbible: "It has been documented that trainers frequently use cruel techniques such as food deprivation, beatings, electric shocks, and chaining to force animals to perform for entertainment, including TV shows.

"Wild animals such as bears are inherently dangerous to humans, so trainers often use cruel methods to dominate animals into submission.

"When today's production companies have access to computer-generated imagery, animatronics, and other cutting-edge technology, there's simply no excuse for subjecting animals to the risk of physical harm, the confusing environment of a production set - including bright lights and loud, scary noises - and the stress of training, travel, and confinement.

"We urge Jason to refuse to work with wild animals again."

Apple TV+

Appearing on The Ellen Show, Momoa admitted he was scared when sharing 'cookie kisses' with Tag.

He said: "There's no CGI on that one. That's officially a 900 pound bear.

"It has to get to know you. He's like, 'it's going to be ok', so you just trust the trainer.

"It would be great [the headline], 'Jason Momoa died today. He got his face ripped off by a bear'. How? He had a cookie in his mouth... I mean, it doesn't make any sense."

LADbible has contacted Apple TV+ for comment.

Topics: Viral, Celebrity, PETA, Animals

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey