Proof that animals in circuses suffer

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1/ Observation :

Observation of animals held by a large French circus (Cirque Arlette Grüss):

		Repetitive shifting from one foot to another (stereotypical behaviour) by an African elephant in the foreground and an Asian elephant in the background. (820 Ko) - view>> Mp4 format (644 Ko) >> Windows Media Player (164 Ko) >>
		Incessant pacing by a panther (stereotypical behaviour). (672 Ko) - view>> MP4 format (508 Ko) >> Windows Media player (156 Ko) >>
		Repetitive movements by a lion (stereotypical behaviour). (780 Ko) - view >> Mp4 format (600 Ko) >> Windows Media Player (168 Ko) >>

2 / Signification

According to Mc Bride and Craig, these stereotypical behaviours "demonstrate failure to adapt appropriately and can therefore be considered a criterion in evaluating the long-term adequacy of housing environments for these animals."

According to I. Hannier, these behavioural disorders " indicate a chronic lack of well-being. "

According to F. Wemelsfelder, "stereotypical behaviour is proof of chronic suffering" .

Zoologist Fred Kurt believes that these stereotypical repetitive movements in elephants can be likened to human insanity ...  

3/ Conclusion

These animals suffer from chronic ill-being due to the total incapacity of these itinerant structures to meet their behavioural needs.

4/ Solution

Enforcement of the law and consequently to forbid circuses from holding these animals. Article L.214-1 of the French Code Rural states that "all animals, as sentient beings, must be placed by their owners in conditions that are compatible with the biological needs of their species".

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BRIDE Mc, GLEN & CRAIG, J.V., "Environmental design and its evaluation for intensively housed animals" in Bresard B., 1985.

HANNIER I., in Le Point Vétérinaire vol.26 n°165, February 1995.

WEMELSFELDER, F., "The concept of animal boredom and its relationship to stereotyped behaviour" in: Lawrence, A.B. & Rushen, J. (Editors). Stereotypic Animal Behaviour. Fundamentals and Applications to Welfare. CAB International, UK,1993.

Images filmed in the Cirque Arlette Grüss menagerie in September 2005.

Translation by

Pour une évolution du cirque traditionnel vers un cirque sans animaux

Rapport de Code Animal
sur la condition animaux dans les cirques

'Derrière les paillettes,
le stress..."

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