MOSSEL BAY NEWS - With the McLaren Circus set up in Hartenbos, holding shows until 15 March, the Garden Route SPCA has urged the public not to support any form of animal entertainment, stating there is “nothing natural about animals performing in a circus environment”.
The founder and owner of the circus, David McLaren, has said however that animal presentations are much enjoyed and requested by the South African audience.
The circus, which was founded almost 21 years ago and is the only touring circus in the country, has several acts, including performances with animals such as lions, Bengal tigers, Arabian horses, ponies, miniature horses and poodles.
The camels and llamas which also usually are part of the show are not on tour at the moment due to the current outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease. McLaren said the circus also has albino Burmese pythons on display.
Cheri Cooke, the area manager of the Garden Route SPCA, said that wild animals belong in the wild.
“Animals used in circuses are forced to perform unnatural and exploitative acts purely for human entertainment. They spend much of their lives confined and transported from town to town, preventing them from behaving naturally, which raises significant welfare concerns,” said Cooke.
“The Garden Route SPCA inspects the circus every time it arrives in town to ensure compliance with animal welfare legislation. While we inspect and monitor conditions, this form of exploitation will continue for as long as the public continues to support it.”
Cooke further urged schools and parents not to encourage children to attend, saying circuses do not teach children respect for animals or wildlife.
“The reality is simple: wild animals belong in the wild - not in cages, not on trucks, and not performing for human entertainment. As long as people continue to buy tickets, animals will continue to pay the price of suffering.”
She added that just because something is legal, it does not make it right.
In response to questions sent by Mossel Bay Advertiser and the statement by the SPCA, McLaren said that all the animals are trained by means of positive reinforcement.
“They are not forced to perform. They are humanely trained with treats, praises and love and lots of attention. The animals are raised and conditioned to the circus environment. All the animals perform only to their natural abilities.”
When asked how much time the animals typically spend being transported, and how, McLaren said they generally leave early in the morning to avoid the heat.
“All animals are safely transported in specialised trailers that cater to each species’s needs. Our animals are not crated, harmed or distressed by the transportation at all. We also try to move short distances as well.”
He said the time spent travelling depends on the destination.
“We came from Plettenberg Bay. We will leave to Riversdale. The animals will be in transport for the duration of the trip. When we arrive at the venue, the first thing we do is set up the animal enclosures, so they can get out. Water and feed are also immediately supplied.”
McLaren said that the SPCA monitors and inspects his circus wherever he tours and observes their performances and backstage area.
“For close to 21 years, the SPCA has been monitoring and inspecting the McLaren Circus. In all this time, no one has ever been charged with any sort of animal cruelty whatsoever...”
He added that the Department of Agriculture also monitors the circus animals and issues an annual licence to train and exhibit them based on the circus having met the requirements to safely handle, train, transport, and care for them.
“The public would not support this circus if we did not care for our animals.”
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