Vet 'n' wild

TELLY animal experts last night blasted I'm A Celeb for being cruel . . . to INSECTS.

BBC's One Show vet Emma Milne branded the bushtucker trials "repulsive"-and says she refuses to watch the ITV1 series.

And Autumnwatch host Chris Packham says he's "appalled" by tasks which include eating live insects and being covered by them.

He told the News of the World: "What sickens me more than anything is when people say 'They're only insects.' I happen to like insects and, more than anything, I like life.

"There's not a single living organism on this planet that wants to die."

Last week Joe Swash and Nicola McLean MUNCHED live crickets, silkworms and a witchety grub in one trial. Two days later Robert Kilroy-Silk DOWNED an insect smoothie, SHOVED his head in a box of rats, was PLASTERED in gloop and insects, and had to PUSH snakes aside to win food.

Emma, star of Vet's School and Vets In Practice, fumed: "The creatures are put in a completely unnatural situation.

"And the thing where the celebs bite the head off a live whatever-well, it's pathetic if that's what we need to do to entertain people."

And Chris Packham said: "I've been appalled by the way the animals are abused.

"When I saw what appeared to be mealworms, maggots, gunk and a sackload of cockroaches being poured over Kilroy, there was no doubt huge numbers of creatures would be trampled on and stuck in the mess. If they trod on a cat, it'd be on every front page. But they can jump up and down on as many bugs as they like and I find that appalling.

Chris disputed claims that insects don't feel pain. He said: "Sorry but that's bloody sub-GCSE anatomy. They've got nervous systems. Witchety grubs and mealworms shy away from heat. Of course these creatures have feelings."

He also alleged bigger animals had been harmed on I'm A Celeb.

"Several years ago a star had to put their head inside a Perspex tank of giant spiders.

"I could see they'd done something to the spiders' fangs to make them harmless," Chris said.

"Another time I saw crocodiles with their mouths tied together. It's despicable."

Animal charity Peta also slammed the stunts, saying: "They send a very dangerous message that cruelty towards other living beings is acceptable."

An I'm A Celebrity spokesman said: "Australia's RSPCA is notified of all trials involving mammals or reptiles and inspectors have an open invitation to attend any trial.

"We also have qualified, experienced animal and insect wranglers on site at every trial, and each one is carefully tested and developed.

"And many of the insects used are bred for feeding reptiles."

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