When I was born in 1963, circuses were extremely popular. At home, I found copies of Circus programme booklets from 1964, 1965, 1966 and many succeeding years thereafter. The first circus I actually remember was in 1966. I remember that I was frightened of some ugly clowns who climbed up the stairs into the audience and sat behind my parents and myself. Most clowns I liked; those particular clowns, I didn't.

I have probably seen over two dozen circuses in my lifetime, ranging from the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus to various Shrine Circuses, sponsored by the Shriners in North America. It was exciting to see the lions, tigers, elephants, bears, monkeys, dogs, horses, zebras, and other exotic animals performing in the three-ring acts. I admire the skill of the flying-trapeze artists as well as the professional clowns, jugglers, musicians, and the Ringmasters who used their countless abilities to thrill audiences.

I have watched the late Karl Wallenda years ago when his family "The Great Wallendas" were the foremost high-wire daredevils who risked life and limb. Sometimes their acts ended in fatal tragedies.

Several members of that family died by working without a safety-net. That was their choice. But, I wish that they had used a net. They had nothing to prove beyond success. Their deaths ended their careers... and it ended the applause from the audience.I see a similarity developing with animal acts in modern circuses. Too often, animals are pushed to the limit in doing tricks which are needless, mindless, harmful or without any redeeming merit. I see no point in making a bear balance on a huge round ball or making an elephant balance on a large footstool. When I was a child, I enjoyed seeing a lion or a tiger jump through a ring-of-fire. But, no longer - I find that disgusting and unworthy to see.

I would much rather that circuses change their mission. I believe that they could still profit by showcasing animals in a zoo-like atmosphere with limited travel.

The emphasis on animals "doing tricks" should be abandoned. Instead, circuses should do less travelling... and concentrate on more extended stays. I would rather see animals quietly mingling with other animals in a setting resembling an animal sanctuary rather than abused by the unworthy carnival atmosphere that constantly uproots animals by the greed-fuelled necessity of moving on to the next town, the next audience, and the next pay-day. I believe that the circus industry needs to totally eliminate freakish animal novelty acts and concentrate on the simple pleasures of quiet animal observations.

Society needs to genuinely appreciate being able to observe animals who originated in the wild kingdom, but who are now nurtured by man in a setting that retains an emphasis on animal dignity and animal safety.