I don’t think animal rights groups understand how limp, strained and insincere all their bleeding heart blather against animals in circuses comes across. Circuses without animals are as unthinkable as pubs without alcoholic beverages and it is the height of absurdity that these beasts are any worse off for forming part of the circus routine.

They are well and properly fed, get plenty of exercise and have the privilege of touring the world, which is more than can be said for the people flocking to watch them.

Animals in the ‘wild’ (if such a thing even exists any more) are prey to the cruel law of survival of the fittest, the vagaries of droughts and famines and the occasional alligator taking a bite out of one of them, not to mention poachers and ivory merchants.

Animals in circuses, by comparison, receive regular medical check-ups, develop intense and lifelong relationships with their trainers and enjoy the satisfaction of bringing joy to so many children who would otherwise never be able to lay eyes on such magnificent beasts.

Animals rights activists believe animal circuses should be made a thing of the past. I believe they should redirect their sympathies towards the owners of the two circuses currently in town, both of whom have had to deal with plenty of prejudice and degrading bureaucracy to bring their splendid shows into our antiseptic and pedestrian lives.