ANIMALS Circus West Sussex, 09 Jun 2009 - 15:39
An animal charity outlined its objection to the use of animals in travelling circuses as the Great British Circus arrived in Horsham today.
Born Free spoke out against the circus, which is currently touring with lions, tigers, camels and zebras.
Chris Draper, senior scientific officer for the Born Free Foundation, said: "The use of wild animals in circuses is archaic, and it is abundantly clear that a travelling circus cannot provide for the complex needs of wild animals.
"Travelling circuses simply cannot create the environment afforded to animals in even the most simple licensed zoo, and furthermore subject their animals to repeated and prolonged transport, frequent loading and unloading, and the potential stresses of performance and training."
The Great British Circus has also recently imported three elephants and has revealed its intentions to attempt to breed elephants in 2009, which has further outraged Born Free.
Will Travers, chief executive of the foundation, added: "The circus's website states their intention to attempt breeding from their elephants. I find the thought of this utterly horrifying.
"Despite reassurances from the Government that the use of wild animals in circuses would be ended under the Animal Welfare Act, we now have a situation where not only have more wild animals been brought into the country to perform, but the Great British Circus is attempting to justify its existence by attempting to breed elephants in the wholly unsuitable environment of a travelling circus.
"The Government appears paralysed on this issue - the Minister responsible has left the Government - when it is clear that the public want to see an end to the use of wild animals in circuses. We are continuing to call on Government to do the right thing and institute a legal prohibition on the use of all wild animals in circuses under the Animal Welfare Act."
A Defra spokesperson said: "A report commissioned by Defra in 2007 on wild animal acts in circuses showed there was insufficient evidence to justify introducing new regulations under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
"A feasibility study, currently under way, is looking further as to whether we should regulate the use of wild animals in circuses and is due to be completed later this summer."
Chris Barltrop, a spokesman for the Great British Circus, said: "Government scientists concluded that circuses look after their animals as well as similar species in other captive contexts.
"They said there was no scientific reason to ban any species of animal from circuses and also found that circus animals did not find transportation stressful because they were used to it.
He added: "Anyone is entitled to hold any view they want, but Born Free's view is no more valid than that of members of the public who want to come to the circus.
"If the circus is run properly, people should have the choice to go and see it."
Born Free is an international wildlife conservation charity that aims to improve animal welfare, protect endangered species and prevent animal suffering worldwide."
For more information on Born Free visit www.bornfree.org.uk.
No comments:
Post a Comment