Washington, D.C. — While authorities in England, Wales, and Scotland continue to stall on introducing bans on the use of wild animals in traveling circuses, new evidence has come to light of the conditions in which circus animals spend the winter season. [teaserbreak]
Five big cats—three tigers and two lions—had previously been on tour around Britain with Peter Jolly’s Circus in 2014. The Born Free Foundation, a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation, was alerted to alarming reports that the cats’ owner and trainer, Thomas Chipperfield, had set up a site at a farm in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, and as quickly as possible, dispatched an investigator.
They found that:
- The big cats are mainly housed in three cages of a traditional circus beast wagon (trailer). There is a small circular pen that the animals can access when they are not locked away.
- The lions and tigers must share this pen and, during the investigator’s visit, there was always at least one big cat locked in the beast wagon.
- All of the animals were witnessed repetitively pacing in their enclosure. Some aggressive interactions were seen between the male tigers.
Born Free is extremely concerned that these cats are being housed in this manner. It appears that the cats do not get a break from circus conditions, even when they are not on the road.
Furthermore, Born Free is urgently investigating whether the premises has the necessary licenses. Born Free’s investigation revealed that members of the public were permitted to view feeding time. It is understood that Mr. Chipperfield is in application for a license to keep the cats under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976; however, Born Free is concerned that, as the animals are on display to the public, the site may instead require licensing under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981.
Adam M. Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA and Born Free Foundation, said: “Until recently, these cats were on tour with a circus in England. It seems clear that this situation has arisen as a result of government inaction to enact legislation to ban wild animals in traveling circuses in England.”
Earlier this year, the Scottish government held a consultation on whether the use of wild animals in traveling circuses should be banned in Scotland. But, to date, there has been no comment on the outcome of this consultation.
Roberts continued, “It is staggering that the government has still not fulfilled its promise to ban wild animals in circuses. And, all the while, wild animals such as these tigers and lions continue to be kept in an unsuitable captive environment. We are calling on the government to make good on their promise and take action now to end this outdated practice. We would also like to ask Mr. Chipperfield if he is willing to work with us to give these animals a more suitable environment at a permanent rescue facility, and to ensure that they will not go on tour again.”
Born Free, along with the RSPCA, has previously offered to work with Defra and circus owners in advance of the ban to find suitable lifetime care solutions for any wild animals currently in use in circuses.
Born Free USA is a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to America the message of “compassionate conservation”—the vision of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son Will Travers. Born Free’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. More at www.bornfreeusa.org, www.twitter.com/bornfreeusa, and www.facebook.com/bornfreeusa.
Media contact: Rodi Rosensweig, press@bornfreeusa.org, 203/270-8929