Olympic Animals

So in case you are worried about the animals in the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, fret no more. Producer Danny Boyle has sent a handwritten letter to animal rights activists that the live animals used in the ceremony will be well taken care of.

"All I can say is that genuine care will be taken of the animals, including judging how they react to the stadium environment.

"They will feature only in the beginning of the show during daylight hours and will leave the stadium shortly after 9pm and before any large effects or noisy sequences take place," he wrote.

These animals include goats, sheep, horses and assorted fowl and Mr. Boyle claims to be investigating whether these animals can be retired to an animal sanctuary after the ceremony.

PETA, however, is not totally appeased.

According to their spokesman: "We are satisfied that the animals won't now end up in an abattoir and that much more attention is now being paid to their welfare.

"But their transport and the stress of unfamiliar surroundings as well as their use as props rather than sentient, sensitive individuals have still not been addressed."

You will just have to watch and make sure the animals look happy, which I am betting they do.