In the last Budget, it was announced that a White Paper would be issued on banning circus animals. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Animal circuses featuring wild animals should not fall under a blanket ban but should exclude certain endangered species such as elephants, pandas and monkeys, according to circus promoter Silvio Zammit.

“I’m in favour of stricter regulations and the ban of certain endangered species. But I don’t think it’s fair to ban animals such as horses, ponies, llamas, tigers, lions, ostriches and dogs.”

Speaking in front of the cages enclosing four adult Bengal tigers and their six cubs at the Viviana Orfei circus in Gżira, Mr Zammit insisted that many Maltese loved the circus. For many who never left the island, the circus provided them with the opportunity to see in person the beauty of the animals.

“It’s a beautiful experience when you watch children and adults alike viewing the tigers up close.”

Waving the petition he has launched in favour of retaining animal circuses, which is open for signatures on the premises, Mr Zammit said that so far, it had been signed by more than 2,000 people.

“Some of those who did not sign told me it was because they feared the animals were being mistreated.

The animals here are very well cared for and loved by their keepers, who view them as their pets

“This is absolutely untrue. We are against animal cruelty. The animals here are very well cared for and loved by their keepers, who view them as their pets.

“Who domesticated cats and dogs? Humans did. These animals are also domesticated because they belong to their keepers. They were born in the circus.”

What did he have to say to arguments by a number of NGOs and animal activists, namely that the animals were being confined in small pens, subjected to the stress of being transported around and the unnatural tricks they were made to learn?

“There are strict laws stipulating the dimensions of the cages and the manner and hours spent being transported around. We abide by them. Officials from the Animal Welfare Department make regular inspections.

“Tigers live for around 10 years in the wild but for around 25 years in captivity because they’re well cared for.”

Private vet Gareth Grech, who was present at the press conference, confirmed that the animals were in good health.

“The cubs are healthy and happy as they’re feeding normally and engaging in playful behaviour.

“Their pens are designed according to the laws, which were well researched prior to being decided upon. Animals are no longer taught tricks by being beaten but through positive reinforcement and being fed treats.

“What there should be is more rigid enforcement of these laws.”

In the last Budget, it was announced that a White Paper would be issued on banning circus animals. Mr Zammit will be taking the circus to Għajnsielem for performances between January 8 and 19, to “give the Gozitans the opportunity to view what might be the last circus”.

“In reality, 85 per cent of the circus is humans. Only 15 per cent is animals,” Mr Zammit said.

“There are quite a number of wild animals being kept in private residences. The White Paper should address this too. Circus animals are the line of communication linking man with animal.”