SAFE has made an official complaint to MAF and the SPCA after observing Jumbo was kept in conditions that were in breach of the circus code of welfare.
SAFE also supplied video evidence showing Jumbo has been illegally tethered in her trailer, kept in inadequate living conditions without sufficient exercise and kept on the hard surface of a car park. The Dunedin SPCA immediately issued the circus with a notice to relocate Jumbo within 24 hours.
SAFE is delighted that the SPCA acted on SAFE's complaint which now refutes claims made by Loritz Circus that they had SPCA approval.
COUNCIL CONVINCED JUMBO SUFFERS
SAFE congratulates councillors for making the right choice.
SAFE is delighted the Dunedin City Council has overwhelmingly voted to adhere to its policy of not allowing circuses with exotic animals to perform on council land.
Loritz Circus was scheduled to perform in Dunedin for three weeks from the first week of April with Jumbo, its performing circus elephant. While SAFE was expecting the Council to refuse the circus on the grounds it had a policy prohibiting exotic animals from performing, several of the councillors favoured making an exemption. After much lobbying from SAFE, who also supplied supporting evidence from a leading international elephant expert, the council has since voted in favour of adhering to its ban. SAFE congratulates the councillors for their stance and support.
COUNCIL VOTES AGAINST ABUSE
Dunedin City Council has voted against making an exemption to Loritz Circus to allow them to perform with their elephant on council land next month. Dunedin City Council has a policy of banning circuses with exotic animals from performing on their land.
Over the past two weeks SAFE has provided Dunedin City councillors with expert opinion that Jumbo the elephant is likely to be suffering from stress and evidence that she is kept in conditions which breach the circus code of welfare.
SAFE also presented statements from RNZSPCA Chief Executive Robyn Kippenberger and Dr Dame Daphne Sheldrick, an international elephant expert from Kenya. Click here to download full letter.
After viewing footage of Jumbo tethered in her trailer and repetitively swaying, Dr Sheldrick wrote:
"I would hope and expect the New Zealand authorities to take corrective measures regarding the elephant named 'Jumbo', whose stereotypic behaviour indicates profound stress, boredom and unhappiness."
"There are no circumstances that the SPCA could approve of this use of the elephant Jumbo," writes RNZSPCA Chief Executive Robyn Kippenberger. "We are hopeful that the [Dunedin City] Council will stick by their previous stance regarding the prohibition of display of exotic animals and prevent this circus from further exploiting Jumbo."
"Dunedin City Council's policy had previously sent a strong message that animal cruelty was not tolerated in Dunedin, and they have now adhered to their moral stance for which we congratulate them" says SAFE campaign officer Sacha Dowell.
"The Council have chosen to take note of SAFE's information and statements from the SPCA and elephant experts, instead of relying simply of Loritz Circus' misleading information " says Ms Dowell.
FREE JUMBO CAMPAIGN GAINS PUBLICITY
During the past two months SAFE has caused a media furore about the inadequate treatment of circus elephant Jumbo at the Loritz Circus.
SAFE held roadside demonstrations in Christchurch, Queenstown, Wanaka and Cromwell to raise awareness of Jumbo's appalling living conditions, which attracted widespread publicity. In Christchurch, stories and letters to the editor featured in The Press, as well as a lengthy story on CTV, in addition to radio interviews on RadioLive, RDU and Newstalk ZB.
While the circus was in Otago, SAFE protests resulted in articles in the Otago Daily Times, Mountain Scene, Southland Times and the Wanaka Sun.
SAFE volunteers responded to our call to write letters to the editor and a handful were published, and an editorial in The Press was published about the problems with keeping elephants in captivity.
CIRCUS IN TOWN!
Christchurch SAFE volunteers had their chance to participate in the Free Jumbo campaign last weekend when a large roadside demonstration was held. Passers by tooted their support for SAFE's opposition to Loritz Circus' continued incarceration of the solitary elephant Jumbo.
In Christchurch Jumbo has been observed tethered in her small trailer in breach of the code of welfare for circuses, despite SAFE's complaints to MAF and the circus claiming Jumbo was "no longer tethered at any time." The circus is currently performing in Christchurch until the 18th of January.
If you are keen to get involved in the campaign by distributing flyers and putting up posters, writing a letter to the paper or participating in a protest, email sacha@safe.org.nz asap.
CIRCUS FUSS IN NELSON
A protest by SAFE Nelson campaigners successfully discouraged locals from attending the visiting Loritz Circus once they were made aware of how the circus animals are kept. Nelson City Council also had to admit that they had made a mistake when it was pointed out by SAFE that they had a policy against allowing circuses with exotic animals on public land.
The local paper printed an article about the protest, which was followed by letters to the editor expressing concern about Jumbo's situation. SAFE organiser Kath Greig was reported in the Nelson Mail as saying that she "...hoped that Nelson people would boycott the circus in favour of attending animal-free circuses." VIEW ARTICLE
CIRCUS REMAINS PRESSURED
Demonstrations against the Loritz Circus in Auckland have drawn to a close following a campaign that involved letter writing, poster distribution and local SAFE campaigners holding protests outside the circus in Mangere and Manurewa.
SAFE campaign officer Eliot Pryor says after observing the circus from some time SAFE has proof that Jumbo, the solitary circus elephant, remains confined in her trailer for prolonged periods, swaying from left to right. This behaviour is typically linked to psychological distress.
"Her five-minute routine in the arena appears dull and sombre. The circus had all the other elements of a great family show and could easily stand alone without the elephant," says Eliot.
SAFE - 20 YEAR CAMPAIGN
SAFE has led the campaign against the Whirling Brothers Circus for its use and abuse of animals for many years. Peaceful demonstrations have been a regular feature outside the circus around the country and have reminded circus goers that away from the glitz and glamour of the arena there are animals that are suffering and frustrated.
SAFE's twenty year campaign has successfully educated the public about the reality of circus animal suffering. This has resulted in a change of public attitude towards the use of animals for so-called entertainment. During the 1990s New Zealand was home to four touring circuses and hosted many international circuses that brought with them a menagerie of animals. However in 1992 SAFE launched a massive nationwide campaign against the Great International Moscow Circus which had a collection of performing animals including bears on skates. The campaign attracted widespread media attention that resulted in huge losses of ticket sales. The promoters issued lawsuits on anti-circus organisers in an attempt to recover costs with little success. Since then, no international circus with animals has visited New Zealand.
In 1999 SAFE successful freed and rescued two chimpanzee brothers, Buddy and Sonny, who were part of Circus Magic, a New Zealand-based circus. While it took years of battling with the circus owner SAFE finally managed to successfully release both chimps and send them to the world's largest primate sanctuary in Africa. Both chimps now live a life as free and natural as possible. The circus owner agreed to never use exotic animals again. Today, New Zealand is home to only one touring circus with performing animals, including the last remaining exotic animal - Jumbo.
Jumbo's plight
For years Jumbo's life-long handler and owner of Whirling Brothers Circus, Tony Ratcliffe, stated publicly that Jumbo would be retired to a sanctuary or zoo once the circus closed down. When the circus started retiring some of its animals in 2007 Ratcliffe admitted that Jumbo "Would be better off with other elephants" and expressed sadness at the thought of saying goodbye to her. SAFE thought it was finally all over - Jumbo would at last be with her own kind and have space to roam at a sanctuary or zoo. Instead, Jumbo was sold to Loritz Circus and Ratcliffe now works for the circus managing Jumbo.
For over three decades Jumbo has been kept in solitary confinement, denied the company of other elephants. Elephants are extremely gregarious, forming strong social bonds. Scientific research shows that elephants deprived of the company of other elephants suffer from stress and boredom.
Jumbo is deprived of sufficient space and stimulation. Elephants in the wild roam vast distances spending much of their days feeding, bathing, grooming and engaging in social activities. Jumbo is restricted to a trailer or small fenced area.
Loritz Circus - a "sad" circus
The Loritz Circus keeps Jumbo along with miniature ponies, donkeys, a llama and a goat. Their ‘Out of Africa' theme depicts Kenyan performers as natives, and while some of their human circus acts are skilful, their animal acts only serve to demonstrate the way humans dominate and use other animals.
The Loritz Circus performance lasts a little over one hour. SAFE investigators attending the performance noted the circus appeared more "sad" than glamorous. They observed ponies running around the arena urged on by a whip-welding handler. Jumbo's 5-minute routine consists of her walking around, hopping across the arena and climbing up onto a step under the direction of Ratciffe who was observed using a stick. SAFE's campaign officer Sacha Dowell says while the video footage of the performance appears harmless enough closer scrutiny raises serious concerns.
"If you look closely at the footage, the ‘stick' in Ratcliffe's hand has a sharp metal hook on the end which is called a bullhook. If Jumbo miscues what she is suppose to do during the act, it's a prod in the side with the hook," says Sacha. "What does this teach children and adults alike about the way we should be treating animals?"
"Thanks to our investigators, we have documented that Jumbo remains confined in her trailer for prolonged periods and constantly sways left and right. This stereotypic behaviour is a typical sign associated with psychological distress. Jumbo is also tethered by her foot to a short metal chain while in the trailer which must be extremely frustrating for her," says Sacha.
SAFE understands Loritz Circus has invested $300,000 building a new trailer for Jumbo however the actual ‘liveable' space Jumbo has is estimated to be 3 by 5 metres. The rest of the trailer appears to be used for storage for supplies. SAFE has serious doubts about the fate of Jumbo if left in her present condition.
"For over three decades, Jumbo has suffered day in and day out simply to ‘entertain' circus goers for a few minutes during each performance. We have no right to force this majestic animal to be degraded and abused. We must end Jumbo's suffering by freeing her from the Loritz Circus and sending her to a sanctuary," Says Sacha.
Circus protest in Blenheim
Circus protest in Blenheim this Saturday (20 June) Meet at 12.45pm outside the circus at A&P Showgrounds. Contact Vicki Baker, 027 228 6001 or email bakerv@ihug.co.nz
Circus protests in Wellintgon
SAFE will be holding peaceful protests outside the Loritz Circus on the following dates:
-Saturday 27 June at 12.45pm - Queen St Reserve, Wainuiomata
-Saturday 11th July at 12.45pm - Avalon Park, Lower Hutt
If you are keen to join in, contact Trudi on 029 200 1865, or email her on t_uttinger@hotmail.com
IN YOUR AREA? If you are able to help with postering or writing letters to your local newspaper please email: sacha@safe.org.nz
1) Don't attend Loritz Circus performances and urge your family and friends to do the same. Let SAFE know if Loritz Circus is in your town.
2) Support the campaign by making a donation.
3) Watch recent footage of Jumbo at Loritz Circus and pass the link on to family and friends.
4) Organise a leafleting session or protest outside the Loritz Circus. Order a campaign pack from SAFE containing leaflets and posters to use in your protest. Email sacha@safe.org.nz to order your pack now.
5) Write a letter to the editor voicing your opposition to the use of animals in circuses (see sample below).
DOWNLOAD POSTER
Download SAFE's poster against circuses so you can copy and put up somewhere for the world to see!
VIEW SAFE's MEDIA RELEASE
WRITE A LETTER TO YOUR PAPER!
[Sample letter]
Dear Editor I am appalled that in this day and age there is still a New Zealand circus with a wild animal - a solo African elephant. This elephant, Jumbo, is alone despite wild elephants living in large matriarchal groups. She is housed in a small trailer with barely enough room to move, and is regularly tethered by her foot to a short chain. She is almost always swaying from side to side. Swaying is a stereotypic behaviour which is a sign of psychological distress. It is disturbing that elephants are still being kept captive for entertainment, instead of allowing them the company of other elephants and the space they need. Jumbo deserves to be retired to a sanctuary with other elephants in a more natural setting. I urge all New Zealanders to not attend circuses with animals as giving them money will only ensure their future suffering. Yours,
SAFE COMPLAINT HELPS JUMBO SAFE has made an official complaint to MAF and the SPCA after observing Jumbo was kept in conditions that were in breach of the circus code of welfare. MORE
SAFE also supplied video evidence showing Jumbo has been illegally tethered in her trailer, kept in inadequate living conditions without sufficient exercise and kept on the hard surface of a car park. The Dunedin SPCA immediately issued the circus with a notice to relocate Jumbo within 24 hours. MAF later imposed further instructions on the circus to comply or face penalties.
SAFE is delighted that both MAF and the SPCA acted on SAFE's complaint which now refutes claims made by Loritz Circus that they had SPCA approval.
SAFE continues to ask the public to boycott Loritz Circus until Jumbo is retired. http://www.safe.org.nz/Campaigns/Free-Jumbo-Campaign/
