Peaceful protest led outside McLaren Circus
Ban Animal Trading lead a peaceful protest outside the McLarens circus on Saturday afternoon
“THE use of animals in circuses is unnatural because animals belong in the wild.”
These were the words of Ban Animal Trading’s (BAT) circus campaign spokesman, Kathy Watson, on Saturday afternoon at a protest at McLaren Circus in Van Riebeeck Park.
The Joburg-based organisation led a peaceful protest between 1pm and 3pm and stood outside the premises.
“We are here to lead a peaceful protest to spread awareness of the unnatural use of animals in circuses. It is not natural for wild animals to be in life-long captivity, travelling long hours and working in these circuses. Animals should be let free and into their natural habitat,” Watson said.
“Our issue is not necessarily with the training of these animals, because we have no proof of any cruelty that goes into the training processes, but using animals in circuses takes away their rights to be free.
“South Africa has beautiful game parks for animals to be viewed in their natural setting, not when doing tricks.”
David McLaren, the circus owner, said the circus was not doing anything illegal and that they were all just trying to make a living.
“There is nothing wrong with what we’re doing here at the circus. Our animals are treated with the utmost care, patience and love.
“The biggest misperception about circus animals is that people think the animals are being captured from their mothers in the wild at a very young age. This is completely untrue as all animals in circuses in SA are purchased from registered breeders and are born from generations of animals born in captivity,” McLaren said.
He put emphasis on the fact that animals in circuses provided great entertainment for both adults and children, especially for people who had never seen wild animals face to face and who could not afford to pay for a game reserve.
“The fact is, wild animals fascinate people, especially little children. As a circus, we also provide affordable entertainment for the whole family to view, whereas most people can’t afford game parks because they are so expensive.
“Also, let’s be honest with ourselves, animals are also endangered in the wild; they have no guarantee of their survival with other animals hunting them and even human beings hunting down and poaching animals. We at least provide them with safekeeping and good care.”
One of the circus goers, Stephen Botha, was there with his family, including his grandchild. He said it was his first time at a circus and he was very excited to see the animals.
Another person who attended the circus, Carol Horn, said that as long as the animals were not hurt or abused, the circus was not doing anything wrong.
“The animals here are well-taken care of and looked after. This group of people (BAT) should be focusing their energies on abused and hungry animals that actually need help,” Horn expressed.
Birchleigh residents, Daan and Anita de Beer, agreed with the others, stating that the animals had more chances of being endangered when out in the wild instead of in here.
“This is in no way animal cruelty and instead animals are hunted and killed in the wild. This is a great opportunity for people to see wild animals, such as my wife, who will get the chance to see a wild animal in real life,” Daan said.
EXPRESS also spoke to Dr Smaragda Louw of Ban Animal Trading, and asked how she felt about circuses being a great attraction for children.
“This is a campaign against the exploitation of all animals for profit and entertainment purposes and not a personal attack on any particular circus.
“It is particularly sad that the show in Kempton Park is being hosted on a school sports field, entrenching the idea that it is acceptable to disrespect and demean others for our own pleasure, when we should be teaching the next generation compassion and respect for all.”
Louw stressed in a video on www.kemptonexpress.co.za that circuses had no educational value for children and that instead they tought young kids that it was acceptable to use animals in circuses and watch them while they suffer.
“The problem lies with the parents because they are there to educate their children and they should be telling their children that animals in circuses suffer and should rather take them to human circuses.”
Articles published on EXPRESS’ website and Facebook page last week about the protest led to a lively debate between those for and against circus animals.
