Countries around the world have begun to understand that circus animals are forced to lead a life in permanent confinement in minimal space. These countries have banned animal circuses from their shores considering them as inhumane.

Circus animals are constantly forced to travel in small containers with barely enough room to move till they reach their destination, where again they are made to live in confined areas; their life is in the hands of the circus owners and trainers to make use of as a means of income.

Through educational programmes, children are beginning to understand that it is the right of these animals to be left in their natural habitat or placed in a rehabilitation centre where a better life will follow.

Sadly, in Malta, these creatures’ discomfort has gone a stage further.

At present, two animal circuses are operating here in locations to which most of the public have objected, for various reasons. Is it not time that animal circuses are made a thing of the past and our children be given the chance to learn to respect wild animals, which should never be submitted to man’s greed and selfishness?