Mermaid floats 'fish are friends, not food' message in Kochi | PHOTOS

Kochi: ‘Fish Are Friends. Not Food. Go Vegan,' said a mermaid who was spotted at a event organised by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in Kochi, Kerala.

S Shilpa, the Thiruvananthapuram-based vegan model dressed up as the mermaid, caught everyone’s attention at the occasion. The event, held as part of the World Vegan Month celebrations at the Rainbow Bridge in Marine Drive, was aimed at creating awareness about the ethical treatment of animals and promote plant-based living.

Atharva Deshmukh, PETA's India Campaigns Coordinator, also spoke at the event, urging the crowd to rethink their eating habits. "Fish are intelligent creatures. They feel pain just like we do, and like us, they don’t want to die. Your food should never come at the expense of causing harm to others,” he said. The organisers emphasised that adopting a vegan diet could not only prevent harm to animals but also benefit human health by reducing the risks of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

PETA volunteers Dr Leera Raju, Riya Yacob, U Ramanathan, and Ashi Ali from Kochi led the campaign, advocating for a compassionate lifestyle that respects both animals and the environment.

A few months ago, in a creative display advocating for veganism, PETA held an unconventional protest at the same spot to mark International Cat Day on August 8. The demonstration featured cat figurines positioned as “cooked dishes” to effectively convey their message on Wednesday.

PETA, an organisation dedicated to safeguarding animal rights, advocates against animal cruelty and promotes the belief that animals should not be exploited for food, clothing, experimentation, or entertainment. Through public demonstrations, such as those in Kochi, along with advertisements and educational resources, PETA aims to raise awareness about the significance of treating animals with kindness and respect.