Question and answer session with animal rights activist and circus owner

A rumpus broke loose on social media after the Mclaren Circus’ recent visit in Standerton.

The Standerton Advertiser agreed to an open discussion with an animal rights activist as well as the circus owner.

Herewith the questions and answers:

Ms Tara Aberdeen, animal right activist and supporter of Ban Animal Trading (BAT)

Q1:  Would you consider yourself an animal right activist, welfarists or how would you describe yourself?

A:  I am an animal rights activist.

Q2:  What in your opinion are the key differences between the two?

A:  Welfare allows the use of animals by humans,  providing certain very basic standards of use.  Animal Rights does not accept the use, abuse, or exploitation of animals for human benefit, particularly given the fact that there is almost always an alternative.

Q3:  Can you kindly give us some background on how you got involved?

A few years ago I started to do personal research into the wide scale abuse and exploitation of animals for human gain.  On the Ban Animal Trading website I found a great deal of information on the unethical use of animals in circuses.  I decided to join their awareness campaigns and demonstrations to help the public become more aware and empathetic towards the plight of these animals.

Q4:  From all the causes you could have chosen to support, why specifically animals?

A:  Animals are the most vulnerable and abused.  Over 56 billion farmed animals are killed every year by humans.  Animals are hunted for sport, kept in laboratories for testing and even skinned (often alive) for their fur and to make leather.  We keep them in cages in zoos and force them to perform tricks, all for human entertainment.  Animals are viewed as property and possessions.  Much like vulnerable members of human society, animals are oppressed and degraded.  They need us to be their voice.

Q5:  Is it your belief that animals have rights and if so, do you think that everyone should share your belief and why?

A:  Animals have no legal rights, only protection under welfare laws.  In reality, they should have as much right to be here as you or I.  They exist with us, not for us.  They form their own complex social structures and have their own needs.  Just because they do not behave exactly as we do, it does not mean that their lives are any less important.  Just like with women and children, we should protect the vulnerable and not abuse them

Q6:  What is your typical approach when you deal with people who exploit animals for personal gain?

A:  I approach these people calmly and respectfully.  I provide them with information and facts.

Q7:  What is the usual response?

A:  People tend to become angry and defensive when faced with a difficult truth. It is not always easy to admit that what you are doing is wrong and unfortunately vanity and pride can play a role.  Forward thinking and open-minded people tend to be more willing to listen, engage and change their behaviour.

Q8:  Do you think a direct approach, could be the cause for these responses whether positive or negative?

A:  A direct approach is necessary.  The use of animals in circuses involves removing them from their natural habitats and/or breeding them for a life of captivity.  The animals are forced to live and behave unnaturally.  They are caged, spend long periods of time on the road, live in cramped spaces, endure grueling training routines and have to perform the same humiliating tricks for crowds again and again.  Using animals in circuses is an outdated practice.  About 41 countries have banned the use of animals/wild animals in circuses.  The public, who are better informed, are rejecting animal circuses.  Times are changing.  Instead of using animals, jobs can be created for people.  There are so many talented human performers so not only is the use of animals cruel, it is completely unnecessary.

Q9:  If the response is primarily negative, have you ever considered alternating your approach to take a more discreet and educational stance?

A:  See above.

Q10:  What are your views on people who own, discipline and teach their pets tricks?

A:  A private individual teaching his dog, for example, to play fetch with a ball, is entirely different to an animal being exploited for profit and forced to perform on demand, 7 days a week, year in and year out.

Q11:  Are you only opposed to wild animals being kept in captivity or all animals?

A:  Other than certain animals, for example dogs and cats, who have been domesticated by way of selective breeding over many hundreds of years, no animals should exist in captivity.

Q12:  Why do you think so many people still support and go to circuses, do you believe they are apathetic/indifferent or to what would you ascribe it?

A:  People sadly still support animal circuses because they have been conditioned and de-sensitised to believe that exploiting and demeaning animals for entertainment is acceptable behaviour.

Q13:  Is there any link between animal right activists and veganism?

A: People follow a vegan lifestyle for many different reasons, animal rights being one of them.  Others include health and environmental reasons.

Q14:  It is a known fact that people have different belief systems/cultures and religions – do you think that this also plays a role?

A:  Different beliefs and cultures should constantly be informed by an evolving society in order to remain relevant.

Q15:  Some would say animals don’t reason, don’t understand rights, and don’t always respect our rights, so why should we apply our ideas of morality to them, what would your answer be?

A:  As the so-called higher intelligence it is incumbent on humans to protect the rights of the vulnerable and those at its mercy.

Q16:  What do you say to religious people who believe that God included certain animals in the diet of mankind and put fear of man into animals?

Many religions exist and all preach mercy and compassion.  PETA‘s religious views are not relevant to this issue.

Q17:  What is PETA’s stand in relation to Biblical principles?

A:  See answer 16.

Q18:  Do you think that people have the right to choose their own religion?

A:  See answer 16.

Q19:  If yes, why don’t they have the right to use animals in a way they see fit if it does not constitute  cruelty by man’s standards?

A:  See answer 16.

Q20:  Where can people go if they want to learn more about animal rights and what message do you have for people reading this?

A:  Many reputable groups exist worldwide advocating for animal rights.  Locally Ban Animal Trading is one of the mainstream groups, and a strong voice for the animals. Animal rights is a social justice movement and a natural and necessary progression in the evolution of humans to living compassionately and co-existing peacefully with all inhabitants on earth.

Mr David Mclaren, McLaren Circus owner.

Q1:  Regarding the animals and their training what is a normal day at the circus? Animals spend most of their time in their enclosures.

A:  They are safely housed at the circus away from the public.

Q2:    Are any whips and chains used in the training of these animals, if not, how are they trained and disciplined?

A:  A standard horse lunging whip is used. This can be purchased at an “agri type” store or any horse tack shop. The horse lunging whip is an extension of my hand to guide the animals from left to right. The animals are trained by means of positive reinforcement. They receive a reward for positive behaviour. No chains are used!!!

Q3:  What is the duration of their training sessions?

A:  Training sessions are not long. It depends on which animals one is training. Normally 10 to 15 minutes long. It cannot be too long as the animal will get bored.

Q4:  Regarding food and water, how many times a day are they fed and how regularly do they receive fresh water?

A:  Our animals always have clean drinking water all the time (only time they do not have water is during transit). Horses and camels have access to grass all the time. Big Cats are fed daily at night. Reptiles weekly. Refusing to provide water for one’s animals will result in poor health and death, and it’s clear  my animals are in perfect health.

Q5:  If the animals become sick or injured, how do you manage veterinarian visits and do they have routine check-ups?

A:  We have vets that monitor our animals monthly. If any animal is ill, a vet is called in immediately. Our animals’ health and well-being is most important at all times. They also receive annual inoculations every October too.

Q6:  Do you get regular visits from the SPCA or any other animal welfare organisation?

A: The SPCA/NSPCA inspect us in every single town and site we visit where they are present.

They also view our performances and view backstage handling of the animals.

Q7:  With all the travelling how does this affect the animals?

A: All our animals are used to travelling. They show no signs of stress from travelling. The circus moves short distances between towns. We never travel far and long trips. If they were stressed from travelling, then they would lose condition and not perform as they do.

Q8:  How do you manage rest periods of performing animals?

A:  Animals in the circus perform 5 to 10 minutes a show, roughly 6 days a week. This is minimal time in a 24 hour day. 99% of the time they are relaxing in their enclosures. Cart horses, security dogs, racing horses, elephant at safaris, work much longer hours than any circus animal does.

Q9:  With the animals bred in captivity, would you say that this is an unnatural process and is it not cruel to keep them in cages?

A:  Activists love using the word “Cages”. They always state that our animals are caged in boxes and crates. This is not true. Our big cats have an exercise/play enclosure attached to their travelling trailer cage. They have access to this all day. They can go play on the grass, socialise with one another there or seek shade inside their trailer. Our horses and camels enclosures are big enough for them to move around and play too. There is nothing cruel in this as the animals show no sign of being unhappy. They also do not know any other life, and if they did, it would be another life in captivity, with another fence around them!

Q10: What purpose does the use animals have in your circus and is there any educational value as the animals are being forced to live and behave unnaturally.

A:  We are a circus. Circuses have always used animals. We are not a concert.  Many children do not get to see animals up close and personal every day. The circus gives them that opportunity at an affordable price too. I am not sure how you can say the animals “behave unnaturally”? The animals are all trained to perform according to their natural abilities. For example our horses run in circle formations. The lions jump and leap. They all do things they can naturally do. None of them swing on the trapeze bar or ride motorbikes. They are all living a life in captivity. If they were not on the circus, then they would be forced to live in a zoo, lion park, horse stable, or somewhere fenced in or ‘caged’

Q11: How do you approach animal activists/welfare organisations and residents that are opposed to animals being used in circus acts?

A:  You cannot change a person mind. If they think you are cruel and abusive, their view will not change. Most never bother doing their research too. All our complaints come from people who never ever visit our circus. They sit on Facebook and the internet attacking people. We just ensure our animals are always happy and healthy and safe for those who enjoy them.

Q12: Do you feel that using animals for financial gain constitutes exploitation or is it merely entertainment with the added benefit of financial gain?

A:  The animals are part of the family. They our star attractions. They also cost us a lot of money for upkeep and looking after. So it’s not all about gaining. But I would like to point out to your concerned members of the public, did they know your  local supermarket sells dead animals for profit? Your local pharmacy sells medicine tested on animals for profit? Your local clothing store sells products from dead animals in the form of wool and leather? Your dogs are confined to yards? Parrots confined to cages? Hoses are confined to stables? Other wild animals confined to zoos and animal parks? Well, I guess they all are totally against all that I have just mentioned, because if they are not, then they are hypocrites….

Q13: With some communities rejecting the use of animals in circuses and countries around the world banning this practice, why do you choose to continue with it?

A:  We are a traditional circus. Parts of the world are banning it from a political viewpoint. None of these banning countries have ever prosecuted circus owners for any cruelty. Go tell the ANC they will win the 2019 election if they ban circus animals, if you convince them, then they may just do it for the win!

Q14: Why do you think other circuses have excluded animal acts?

A:  Some circus people are not animal people to begin with, some lack the passion for animals. It’s cheaper and easier to do it without the animals. Some feel the pressure not too include animals and some politicians have made it difficult.

Q15: Do you believe that animals have rights?

A:  No, I believe in animal welfare not animal rights. I eat meat. If animals had equal rights as humans, then the lion cannot eat the zebra. I believe animals should be cared for and loved.

Q16: Do you think that society needs animal right activists? Why/why not?

No, they all mostly vegan and believe you cannot use any animals for anything what so ever. It’s too extreme! Some believe all farm animals should be free and we should not own pets at home!

Q17: Why do you not focus on developing the acts of the talented individuals you employ instead of continuing to force domestic and wild animals to perform tricks in circuses?

A:  Our show content is 85% human. We do not force our animals to perform! They are trained like animals trained as a dog at a training centre.

Q18: Do you consider yourself to be someone who respects and loves animals? Is this still possible when you use them for their financial gain to their own detriment?

A:  Animal lovers attend our shows to see our beautiful animals. This question seems like you are accusing all my circus goers of animal cruelty for attending our shows. Our animals are loved and are comfortable at my circus.

Q19: Is it ethical to use endangered white lions as props in a show for entertainment and monetary gain?

A:  White lions are not endangered. They are very rare in the wild. They are over-bred in captivity. They are not recognised as a sub-species so I think the statement is not correct.

Q20: Are you aware of blood lions?  Where do the lion cubs you use end up?

A:  “Blood Lions” is a one-sided documentary against the hunting of lions. All my lions were raised by me and are still with me. What cubs are you referring too? All the cubs in my ownership have been raised by me and are still by me. This is yet another Facebook lie of activists trying to link me to the hunting industry. I have no links to lion hunting at all. But please feel free to share any proof if you have any.