The Circus Animal Rights Coalition, is hereby expressing its deep disappointment and concern that Circo Aquatico, which circus exploits aquatic animals will be coming to perform in Gozo and Malta next month.

The Circus Animal Rights Coalition, as in past years, would like to raise awareness of the fact that behind the glitter and the glitz of the circus lies a cruel world of untold animal suffering. Animals used in circuses are unwilling participants in a show that jeopardizes their health and psychological well-being. Circuses force animals to perform tricks that are contradictory to their innate instincts and behavior, which factor results in substantial injuries during performance and training, which most often makes use of painful and punitive methods.

Furthermore, animals in circuses have to sustain long distance traveling to arrive to the performance destination, during which transportation they are most often kept in unsuitable and precarious conditions. The climate of the locality area may furthermore be unsuitable for their natural temperament in such a way that they sustain undue suffering. These factors continue to exacerbate the already stressful conditions caused by confinement and transportation.

Even if conditions were improved and humane methods of training were used, the fact is that keeping wild animals in captivity deprives animals of much of what they value in life. The animals have to live in an environment drastically different from their natural habitat, and their spirits are broken from harsh training and from not being able to fulfill some of their most basic needs and instincts. As a result, seeing animals in circuses does not provide a realistic educational tool because these animals are forced to perform tricks and live in conditions that are unnatural for them.

In view of the above mentioned reasons, we are asking individuals and particularly educational institutions to refrain from contributing to this animal cruelty. The coalition is also highly dismayed of the fact that a local company which boasts of its environmental friendly policies is sponsoring Circo Aquatico, which factor places strong reservations on the veracity of the company’s ethical standards since such sponsorship leads to a direct role in sustaining this animal cruelty and exploitation.

An end to animal circuses doesn’t mean an end to fun. There are many circuses that are exciting and entertaining without abusing animals. By supporting animal-free entertainment and not promoting circuses that exploit animals, together we can move towards an end to the abuse and exploitation of animals in circuses.

Mary Grace Vella

f/Circus Animal Rights Coalition members : Moviment Graffitti, Island Sanctuary, Animal Rights Malta, CETFREE, Nature Trust (MALTA), Ananda Marga, Subculture, World Animal Conscience, International Animal Rescue Malta.