Craig Redmond, Campaigns Director,The Captive Animals' Protection Society, Manchester, England
Circuses do not need animals to entertain us
It is sad to hear that another animal circus is visiting Malta this month. But the good news is that it has already faced serious opposition.
The UK charity Captive Animals' Protection Society fully supports the Circus Animal Rights Coalition and its campaigns to discourage people from visiting animals shows. And it is great to hear that state schools are concerned about the welfare of animals in circuses too.
A travelling circus, by its very nature, is incapable of meeting the needs of animals. This view is backed by animal behaviourists and other scientists such as those from Bristol University here in the UK who this year published a study that found "neither natural environment nor much natural behaviour can be recreated" in a circus.
We don't have the right, or the need, to make animals perform just for our entertainment. Around the world, more people visit only all-human circuses, and countries are increasingly prohibiting animal circuses in recognition of the cruelty involved.
Please support those organisations opposing animal circuses and help achieve an end to this cruelty once and for all.
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Chris Reiff
Dec 13th 2009, 20:21
Conservatism has never helped humans evolve, if you catch my drift, Mr. Camilleri and Farrugia.
c. camilleri
Dec 13th 2009, 17:36
Circus without animals is not worth attending. From the very beginning animals have always been associated with circuses. And that is why many flock to these shows. It seems visiting circuses are a soft target for our animal lovers. All animals held as pets in our homes are being ill treated because they do live their natural life especially those trained to a certain degree of obedience and submission.
J Farrugia
Dec 13th 2009, 17:33
Tell this foreigner that his advice is not sought and that with all the protests and what not, the circus is still in full swing and we had a nice evening on the opening day. I also had the honour of tearing into two of those arrogant protesters who tried to stop us from going to the circus. I will make it a point of going once more to the circus. What have these protesters achieved by marching from Valletta to Blata l-Bajda? Hope that this civil servant who opposed sending children to the circus will be penalised by the courts and dismissed from public service. Arrogance must not be allowed to raise its ugly head in our civil service.
Pule' Carmel
Dec 13th 2009, 15:01
We do not need animals to entertain us, but, Do we need zoos to educate us when the internet and youtube and other modern technological devices give all the information. Do we need farms that enclose hens and cows and other animals for our convenience, could we have done without domisticated horses and mules throughout history. I wonder how Hannibal and the mahuts treated their elephants. In Malta we had mules and horses and cows tied to wheat grinders andCartsWaterwheels, to pump up water, before windmills and electric pumps took over. Going hunting for animals in the old days was good enough for all men.
Do we need other humans to entertain us as in circuses,sports and airshows and animal competitions as horseracing and polo. I wonder if the encouragement and high salaries and winnings offered to Red bull airobatic daredevils and testpilots and cosmonouts in dangerous space, lacking oxygen would be tackled, if society did not attach a higher psychological or monetary value to all this human behavour.
Should I mention the Horrible class and education institutions which encloses our children to meet the successes of certificates after being enclosed in cages sorry classes as animals in circuses?
Joseph Schembri
Dec 13th 2009, 13:23
Why pick on circuses. Are'nt we all guilty when we keep dogs, cats(as pets) locked up in our houses and birds in cages.