A federation of 20 NGOs this morning launched a campaign on animal cruelty in circuses, a day after a local company announced that animals would feature in a circus which will perform in Malta and Gozo for most of next month.

Members of the Circus Animal Rights Coalition distributed literature to people at City Gate this morning and announced they would hold a protest march on December 8.

Spokesman Mary-Grace Vella said the coalition was extremely disappointed that a local company had, yet again, decided to bring circus animals to Malta.

Ms Vella said the coalition was calling on the authorities not to allow circus animals in Malta, and they backed a decision by the Education Department not to organise school visits to the circus. They hoped this decision would be followed by Church and private schools.

Local companies, companies and other organisations were also urged to think carefully before organising visits to such circuses, Ms Vella said.

The symbolic walk, on December 8, starts at 5 p.m. from City Gate and ends near the Granaries, where the circus will be located.

During this morning's event, a person dressed up as a tiger sat in a small cage, to show the suffering of circus animals.

Among the NGOs in the coalition are Moviment Graffitti, Nature Trust, other SPCA, the Animal Rights Group and Island Sanctuary.

JS Productions, which will bring the circus to Malta, said yesterday that the animals were born within the circus, and generations of the Circo Martin family had long taken care of circus animals, assisted by vets who certified that they were in good health.

The animals being brought to Malta include bears, lions, tigers, hypos, a Scottish bull, pigs, horses, ponies, goats, lama, a camel as well as parrots and pelicans.

The circus will also feature trapeze artistes, gymnasts and magicians.

Shows will be held in Victoria between December 1 and 5 and the granaries between December 8 and January 2