Video footage received by the NSPCA of an elephant being terrified and beaten has led to criminal charges being laid against the Brian Boswell Circus. This cruelty is shameful!
Picture credit: Animal Defenders International - file picture
The NSPCA has previously raised its serious concerns and objections to the unnecessary use of wild animals in circuses with the Department of Environmental Affairs and launched its “Celebrate the Wildness of Wild Animals” campaign in 2011 calling for members of the public to boycott circuses, which use wild animal acts in their travelling shows.
Over 30 countries have already banned the use of wild animals in circus, including Austria, Greece, Bolivia, Peru, Australia, Israel, Singapore and many more. The NSPCA calls on all animal lovers to stand together with them in sending a powerful message to Government that South Africans abhor cruelty and that the use of wild animals in circuses must finally be outlawed in this country. Visit their website for further information – www.nspca.co.za
The NSPCA does not believe that wild animals should be subjected to the conditions of circus life. Regular transport, cramped and bare temporary housing, forced training and performance, loud noises and crowds of people are all typical and often unavoidable realities for the animals. Performing inappropriate tricks in the name of entertainment also does nothing to foster respect for animals.
Animals in circuses do not benefit any educational, conservational or scientific cause.
The NSPCA has been vigorous in drawing the public’s attention to the unnecessary confinement and training of wild animals in circuses for entertainment purposes and continues to encourage people to boycott circuses, which make use of wild animals. We have also raised our gravest concerns with the Department of Environmental Affairs regarding this practice. At present it is not illegal in this country for circuses to include wild animal acts.
Regarding the elephant beating seen in the footage shown on Carte Blanche, the NSPCA took immediate action when the footage was received and criminal charges were laid against the handler and the Brian Boswell Circus. This matter will follow the legal process, as is required by the statutes of this country. It is due to these legal processes that the elephants in question remain in the custody of the Brian Boswell circus.
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