Letter: “Circus animals live a life of torture”

Jenny Stein of Ballito writes: Kudos to the organizers of the circus protest.

Thanks too, to those that boycotted this event.

If you have access to Google, do some research, and you will find out what the true facts are.

Caged big cats and other animals that travel, and travel, and perform, and perform live a life of torture and unhappiness, and that, for the entertainment of a few.

Cruelty is not entertainment!

I also understand that many of the people who attended the circus shows have children and it is every child`s dream to visit the circus.

I am totally convinced however, that if these children were given the true facts, many of them would be horrified, as would many of the parents. There should be no interaction between man and these beautiful animals.

If someone gets killed, then the animal involved will surely be destroyed. I consider that to be so unfair.

I have no quarrel with a circus that employs people to entertain the crowds.

That is their choice. Animals however, do not have the privilege to choose! Ask yourselves if the circus closes down, what will happen to the animals?

There are big cat sanctuaries in our country that are totally dedicated to the well-being of victims of both circus and zoo abuse, where they are respected, loved, live in massive enclosures (and I mean massive), where there are trees and natural vegetation for them to enjoy, and the best veterinary, and general care and conditions for big cats that have spent their entire lives in captivity, and can never be released back into the wild. Many lodges offer cub petting.

These cubs are known as “photo babies” that end up in the canned lion industry in South Africa.

If you truly care, please don`t visit these places. They do not have the cub`s interests at heart. Their motivation is money. The sanctuaries / lodges that allow human / big cat interaction, are not true sanctuaries. These beautiful little cubs suffer tremendously and are “bred for the bullet”. In over 50 countries animal acts in circuses have been banned!

Why then does this appalling practice continue in South Africa? Whose side are you on?

PS. I find myself, as always, indebted to The North Coast Courier for your support of animal welfare. Thank you.