Objecting to wild animals being used for entertainment in a circus, animal rights activists gathered in peaceful protest outside the McLaren Circus in Zandvlei on its first scheduled night of performances in Muizenberg on Thursday evening, 4 April.
Chanting slogans such as “one hour of pleasure is a lifetime of pain” and “we say no to animals in the circus”, the group huddled together as no residents or queues could be seen outside a mobile ticket sales office just after 18:00.
Extinction Rebellion coordinator Cassie Goodman called ongoing animal-rights protests “madness”. She says that protesting for animal-free circuses for as long as 30 years may well be ludicrous, yet it is very necessary.
“We’ve been asking for years and years to have wild animals in the circus banned and it is just madness, you know. You’re just hitting your head against the wall.
“The first protest I ever went to was very long ago, against the Russian circus and bears kept in Pretoria and I am still doing that 30 years later.”
Goodman feels using any animals in a circus couldn’t be a more base “idea”.
“Wild and domestic animals like horses don’t belong in the circus . . . it just isn’t right. And I absolutely hate the idea and don’t understand why it is not banned.”
For Rosie Garstka, an animal lover from Lakeside, to see animals suffering is absolutely sickening.
“I hate seeing this because I think it is so cruel and we don’t seem to be able to stop it,” Garstka tells People’s Post.
“It sickens me and must stop because there is no need for it.”
She hopes to see changes implemented where animals would be banned from being used for entertainment.
“They don’t need wild animals in a circus, you can do so many other things at the circus.”
Muizenberg resident and activist Chad Cupido said it is time for people to realise that it’s wrong to use animals in circus performances.
“If we think about it and we just feel in our hearts and picture these animals travelling thousands of kilometers around the country in cages for 20 hours a day and then having to perform for two hours.
“I mean, that lion does not feel like a lion anymore.”
He questioned why humans felt the need to rule or dominate animals.
“Is it that we, as human beings, think we have dominion over these animals and that they must perform for us and that is the main attraction for this circus?
“We, as human beings, need to open our eyes and realise that this is not right, if we want to watch wild animals then watch National Geographic. Enough is enough.”
In 2022, residents protested in their numbers to voice their disapproval of wild animals used for entertainment at the McLaren Circus in Zandvlei.
At the time, the City of Cape Town withdrew (and later reissued) an events permit after the Cape of Good Hope SPCA issued the circus with a notice of alleged contraventions of the Animals Protection Act.
The contraventions at the time included a female lioness that had no access to drinking water, concerns about three French Poodles (Jamie, Sasha and Kiemie) and their dental state and additional environmental enrichment required for the lions and Bengal tigers.
In response to the protest action, McLaren Circus spokesperson Karl Hildebrandt said it has had no impact on their business.
“The protests have no effect on our business, although many customers do complain that their children feel intimidated and scared due to the screaming over-amplified sound, which takes place, which is against the bylaw relating to streets, public places and the prevention of noise nuisances.”
He further explains, that the circus promotes performing arts.
“As a circus that recently celebrated 19 years travelling South Africa, it’s important for us to promote performing arts, affording young and old an opportunity to experience the magic of a traditional circus.”
Commenting on the wild animals in circus’ care, Hildebrandt said many of the animals had been with the circus since birth.
“All our animals have been in our care since young, but mostly since birth,” he said.
“We work with our beautiful animals daily and can monitor when they are no longer fit to perform, and if this is the case they will live the rest of their days happily at our facility, built for our animals in the Midvaal municipal area.”
Hildebrandt added all required permits and licences had been authorised and approved.
“As a place of entertainment that also cares for our animals, we understand the laws that govern performing animals, the protection of animals and safety at events.
“A state veterinarian inspects our animals, ensuring their environment is conducive to the animals and all their welfare requirements are met,” he continued.
Commenting on the support received from communities, who purchased tickets to see the shows, he said the circus is a huge drawcard.
“Recent years have shown us how many South Africans truly appreciate the special relationships our animal trainers maintain with our animals.
It’s important as a business that includes performing animals to convey the image and message of how one can have a beautiful relationship with animals when caring for and bonding with them.”
