I'm an Animal in Danger - Get Me out of Here

A television show formula which pits C-list celebrities against animals is just asking for trouble.

So it comes as no surprise that the German version of the popular reality show "I'm a Celebrity - Get Me out of Here," has stirred controversy due to its treatment of poor dumb creatures. The animals, that is.

Set on an Alpine farm in the Italian South Tyrol region, "Die Alm," which attracts 3 million viewers to the ProSieben channel, has caused outrage in animal protection circles after a turkey was slaughtered live on air and plans were being made to follow up the televised blood-letting with the sacrifice of a pig.

The president of the German Animal Protection Federation, Wolfgang Apel, has demanded the show be cancelled. "A show like this should not be allowed to air. No animal should be forced to endure pain, suffering or harm for no sensible reason. This is what has happened on this mountain farm," he said.

Live goat action causes outrage

The killing of poultry and other livestock is not the only bestial activity which has caused activists to demand the show's removal from the air. In another scene, one of the contestants -- Penthouse model Kader Loth (photo) -- was required to allow two young goats to lick a syrup and salt mixture off her barely clad body.

Apel said his organization is planning to press charges against the show. "It's absolutely intolerable that third-class celebrities are trying to improve their image through questionable behavior toward animals," he said.