Credit: Cedar PointFollowing multiple crises at the amusement park, Cedar Point could be at risk of a permanent shutdown as tensions arise.
Cedar Point made all the headlines last month with multiple incidents taking place at the iconic Ohio amusement park, from animal escapes to a bloody fight and arrest.
While the Sandusky icon has continued its operations normally, outrageous demands could put the amusement park at risk of a permanent closure.
Guess what day it is? Guess. what. day. it. is…..???
🐫 Guess what day it is? Guess. what. day. it. is…..??? pic.twitter.com/kaJc6GyBL1
— Cedar Point (@cedarpoint) June 12, 2024
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In early June, a couple of camels escaped their enclosure on The Barn Yard, Cedar Point’s petting zoo. The large animals put hundreds of families at risk as they scrambled across the park before being retrieved by theme park personnel. A witness claimed they “were almost trampled by two massive mammals.”
The incident triggered a viral response online, with multiple videos of it surfacing across social media platforms. Below, you can see a video posted by @thenotoriousjjg on TikTok, or click here to watch it.
Someones getting fired #cedarpoint
@thenotoriousjjg Someones getting fired #cedarpoint
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The unusual escape triggered an immediate response by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), which demanded federal action against the amusement park and urged the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to investigate Kentucky-based Honey Hill.
Honey Hill Farms supplies camels, goats, and other animals for Cedar Point’s petting zoo and other Six Flags Entertainment Corporation-owned and operated amusement parks, such as Michigan’s Adventure and Worlds of Fun.
It is essential to mention that Cedar Point, Michigan’s Adventure, Kings Island, Worlds of Fun, Knott’s Berry Farm, and other amusement parks formerly owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company are now operating under Six Flags following a billion-dollar merger between the companies.
This billion-dollar merger has triggered strict new measures across Six Flags-owned theme parks, sparking outrage online.
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Unfortunately, days after the incident, a group of goats also escaped their enclosure at the amusement park’s petting zoo, shocking guests and taking the internet by storm again.
You can see a video of this second animal escape posted by @alyssawerner2 on TikTok below or click here to watch it.
The goats escaped at Cedar Point! #cedarpoint #escapedanimals #goats #fyp #foryoupage #goatsontheloose
@alyssawerner2 The goats escaped at Cedar Point! #cedarpoint #escapedanimals #goats #fyp #foryoupage #goatsontheloose
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Following the animal-related incidents, PETA insisted on a drastic operational change at Cedar Point, kicking off a campaign claiming that “animals are desperate to flee from Cedar Point amusement park.” The organization urges netizens to “Help them now!”
“Families expect thrills when they go to Cedar Point in Ohio, but they don’t expect to have to run for their lives,” PETA claimed in a statement addressing the escapes of the camels Sampson and Artie and the herd of goats at the amusement park.
PETA stated: “Forcing animals to endure noisy crowds under the terrifying roar of roller coasters deprives them of everything that’s natural and meaningful to their lives and is a severe stressor that interferes with their physical and mental health and well-being.”
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The organization claims that treating animals as theme park attractions is a form of “speciesism”—a human-supremacist worldview.
PETA added that camels are dangerous animals who have killed humans escaping from similar venues and that petting zoos are “hotbeds of disease,” representing a hazard to guests’ health.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals states, “If Cedar Point and its animal exhibitor continue to exploit animals, it’s only a matter of time before their incompetence will lead to injuries—or worse.”
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In response to the incidents, PETA is asking followers to “politely urge the theme park to end its animals displays and stick to thrill rides and roller coasters,” expecting the pressure to cause the permanent closure of Cedar Point’s The Barn Yard.
The statement urges readers to send polite comments to Richard A. Zimmerman, President and Chief Executive Officer for Six Flags Entertainment Company (formerly Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a detail PETA has not updated in their statement) via email, providing a Cedar Fair contact which might no longer be in use.
In attempts to achieve this permanent shutdown at Cedar Point, PETA provided the following sample letter:
I was appalled to hear that animals have repeatedly escaped from Cedar Point, endangering themselves and the public. Animals don’t belong in busy theme parks or beneath noisy roller coasters, so I’m urging you to shut down the petting zoo and send the animals to reputable sanctuaries.
People don’t go to Cedar Point because it has a petting zoo—they go for the roller coasters and rides. Hundreds of venues across the country have committed to offering only animal-free entertainment, and Cedar Point even ended its cruel dolphin shows years ago.
Please, stop making animals suffer in the shadows of your roller coasters. Thank you.
The organization added that supporters should remember that using their own words “is always more effective.”
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Whether PETA will achieve the permanent shutdown of The Barn Yard at Cedar Point is uncertain. However, this would not be the first time the organization’s actions have threatened theme parks in the United States.
PETA has repeatedly demanded changes to SeaWorld’s operations and offerings. As a result of the organization’s actions, public pressure against the use of marine mammals for entertainment has quickly increased, leading to significant changes in SeaWorld parks worldwide.
In 2016, the marine life parks declared the official end of its orca breeding program, implying that the current generation of killer whales in the parks will be the last.
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This change will undoubtedly trigger massive updates to the theme parks, as seen in the first international SeaWorld theme park, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, which opened last year.
The breathtaking marine life park is completely orca-free and has shifted its focus to embracing thrills and attractions over live animal presentations.
The Ohio amusement park has also been put under the glass due to the indefinite closure of its long-awaited Top Thrill 2 roller coaster. The jaw-dropping strata coaster replaced its predecessor, Top Thrill Dragster, following its permanent shutdown due to a scandalous incident at Cedar Point.
In 2021, a Michigan woman was hit by a dislodged metal plate when standing in line for Top Thrill Dragster, resulting in a fractured skull and traumatic permanent brain damage, according to a lawsuit filed against Cedar Point and Cedar Fair Entertainment Company.
The lawsuit was resolved earlier this year, with the woman acknowledging Cedar Fair’s cooperation throughout the process, as confirmed by a joint statement provided by the Murray & Murray law firm and Cedar Fair. However, the settlement terms remain confidential.
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The incident triggered the immediate closure of Top Thrill Dragster and its reimagining as Top Thill 2, a record-breaking “strata coaster” — a roller coaster that eclipses the height of 400 feet — that opened on May 4, 2024. Unfortunately, Top Thrill 2’s glory was short-lived.
The high-speed strata coaster had to be shut down indefinitely at Cedar Point due to safety concerns, prompting the modifications that have delayed its reopening since May 12.
The extended closure of the Top Thrill 2 roller coaster at the Sandusky icon triggered speculation and rowdy rumors pointing at a two-year delay and the severing of bonds between the amusement park and Zamperla, the ride’s manufacturer.
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However, Cedar Point officials debunked these rumors, explaining that the amusement park and Zamperla continue working on a mechanical modification to the coaster vehicles.
Like all Six Flags Entertainment Company-owned locations, the Ohio amusement park prioritizes the safety of guests and employees. An earlier update stated that the ride would undergo multiple inspections before resuming operations.
Cedar Point stated: “Once the modification is complete, Zamperla, the Cedar Point maintenance & operations teams, and our third-party ride inspection partner will conduct a thorough review before approving both the modification and the reopening of the ride.”
Do you think PETA will achieve the permanent shutdown of The Barn Yard at Cedar Point? Share your opinion on the organization’s extreme efforts in response to these unfortunate animal escapes in the comments below!