People gathered at San Antonio’s Ingram Park Mall to watch a waterskiing squirrel got more than they bargained for when the pint-sized performer made a bold break for freedom during the performance.
During a noon performance Saturday, Lovey the performing squirrel was waterskiing in a temporary pool set up in the mall’s main concourse when the animal clambered onto the remote-controlled boat it had been skiing behind. It then jumped onto a child and scurried off into the mall, footage obtained by the Current shows.
Event organizers told the Current that the squirrel in question was “in training” when the escape attempt occurred and that it had been rounded up.
“Everyone is OK, including Lovey,” organizers said. “The whole thing lasted maybe two minutes.”
The squirrel’s escape attempt ended after it leapt onto a man at the mall and handlers caught up with it, local influencer Jay Lifestyles told the Current. Lifestyles posted about the incident on TikTok, where his video of the squirrel’s brief escape has garnered more than 130,000 views and 14,000 likes.
However, many in the comments section are now calling for the squirrel’s release.
“I’d be mad too if I was an animal and instead of roaming free, I was forced to do laps in a loud room,” TikTok user @alisunflowerbomb commented on Jay Lifestyles’ clip.
User @natsienaty agreed.
“This is giving animal abuse for human entertainment,” they wrote. “Poor squirrel.”
Meanwhile, TikTok user @asta.r.te wrote: “Animal cruelty.”
Lovey the squirrel is part of a traveling show organized and operated by Florida-based Twiggy Inc., which primarily stages performances at malls and county fairs.
Chuck and Lou Ann Best started the company after they adopted a squirrel that was blown from its nest during a hurricane in 1978, according to the company’s website.
Chuck eventually taught the squirrel, which the couple named Twiggy, to waterski. Twiggy then began doing regular shows, garnering national media attention.
The operation is now run by Lou Ann’s son, Chuck Best Jr.
Twiggy Inc. did not respond to the Current’s follow-up questions about how many squirrels the company currently has performing tricks, or how the company acquired the animals.
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