PROGRESS: Australia’s last circus lions and monkeys are now ‘retired’.
"This might be dated, I grew..."
History and growth are never dated. Good to see continuing recovery.
Stardust Circus has been forced to stop displaying the last lions and monkeys they were still using for 'entertainment'!
Animals Australia team Last updated May 7, 2021
Finally, in 2021, no circus in Australia will coerce these ‘exotic’ animals to perform in front of lights and crowds, and spend their lives travelling as part of a show.
Stardust Circus’s decision to stop using lions and monkeys was not voluntary, despite years of public opposition. The change was required because no insurance company contacted was willing to approve insuring the animals. Other animals including horses, dogs and goats will continue to be required to ‘perform’.
While the reason for the insurance companies’ decision hasn’t been made public, it comes after years of controversy for this ‘entertainment’ industry. Thousands of Australians have spoken out against keeping animals like lions and monkeys in circuses. The fact that Stardust was the last circus to display these ‘exotic’ animals in Australia indicates evolving societal expectations around the use of animals. These days, people are much more interested in watching amazing human performers — who choose to take centre stage — than they are in seeing animals forced to perform such unnatural tricks.
IMAGE While 'exotic' animals like lions, elephants and monkeys are not currently used in Australian circuses, there is no nationwide ban in place – and around the world, these animals continue to suffer for the sake of circus 'entertainment'.
Circuses are never appropriate environments for animals
Animals in circuses .. https://animalsaustralia.org/issues/circuses .. around the world are routinely subjected to months on the road, confined in barren cages. These animals are forced to live most of their lives in enclosures, denying them every opportunity to express their natural behaviours. Undercover investigations overseas have also revealed cruel ‘training’ techniques based on fear and punishment.
In confinement, behind the scenes, they are unable to socialise and form bonds of their choosing as they naturally would, explore their environment, search for food, or seek privacy as they wish. And when they are in the ring, the loud crowds, bright lights, and ‘performance routines’ are far from anything they’d naturally experience.
IMAGE [A wild lion] All animals deserve a life worth living. They are not here 'for' us – they share this planet with us, and have their own unique personalities, likes and dislikes, fears and bonds.
3. Write a letter to the editor of your local paper or call and speak on talk-back radio when a circus is coming to your town, highlighting why they should join over 40 other councils in the country to ban animal circuses.