BuyTigers.com
 | |
Type of site | Satirical website |
|---|---|
| Owner | Aldo Tripiciano |
| Created by | Aldo Tripiciano |
| URL | buytigers |
| Commercial | No |
| Registration | None needed |
| Launched | March 5, 2006 |
| Current status | Defunct |
BuyTigers.com was a satirical website which claims to sell tigers online and ship them worldwide. After complaints by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the author revealed the site to be a hoax.
History
BuyTigers.com was designed by Aldo Tripiciano, an Italian webmaster and search engine optimization (SEO) professional. On March 5, 2006, the first version of the BuyTigers.com site was published by Tripiciano on a private web server. Promoted by Tripiciano, the site grew in popularity and attracted controversy from concerned animal rights activists. In September 2008, PETA petitioned the Indian Government[1][2][3] and Italian Guardia di Finanza. Following the investigation, Tripiciano posted a public disclaimer that revealed the site as a hoax.[4] After the 2011 Ohio exotic animal release, the site received further media attention.[5] Today the website directs to a blank page.
Site
BuyTigers.com consists of a single-page website with pictures of young tigers, presented as if real examples of animals offered for sale. The site claims that tigers, despite being strong and dangerous predators, are trained to be loving, loyal and "totally harmless" pets. The website also claims to have been shipping tigers worldwide since 1984. A "tiger package", offered for $13,400, includes a five-month-old female tiger, an ivory collar, tiger toys, and a training guide.[6]
The site was selected by the radio network Heart as one of the best Internet hoaxes of all time.[7]
See also
References
- ^ "PETA requests the government for investigation over BuyTigers". iGovernment.in. 2008-09-11. Archived from the original on 2013-02-18. Retrieved 2013-11-06.
- ^ "Tiger shopping site invites PETA's ire". CNN-IBN. 2008-09-11. Archived from the original on 2013-01-26. Retrieved 2013-11-06.
- ^ Sinha, Neha (2008-09-13). "Website offers tigers 'bred in India' for sale". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2013-11-06.
- ^ Tripiciano, Aldo. "The Truth about buytigers.com". buytigers.com. Retrieved 2013-11-06.
- ^ Smith, Giselle (2011-10-20). "Lions and tigers and bears -- at home?". MSN Money. Archived from the original on 2011-10-22. Retrieved 2013-11-06.
- ^ "PETA asks State to probe website that sells tigers". Mumbai Mirror. 2008-09-12. Retrieved 2013-11-06.
- ^ "Best Internet Hoaxes of All Time". Heart. Retrieved 2013-11-06.