Press Release

June 7, 2009
Halifax, NS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Eleven More Violations Discovered at Traveling Circus

Provincial cruelty inspectors for the SPCA discovered eleven direct violations of Nova Scotia’s circus standards at the Cirque Estival in New Glasgow on Saturday. These are in addition to the violation regarding the use of lone elephants that brought the SPCA’s original complaint to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

According to Nova Scotia SPCA president Sean Kelly, the infractions cover a variety of areas, from lack of companionship and stimulation for social species, to improper shelter for big cats, to safety violations regarding minimum distances between the animals and people. “This circus is demonstrating widespread substandard welfare practices as well as disregard for the safety of Nova Scotians,” said Kelly.

DNR inspectors were also present at the circus on Saturday, but have yet to publicly discuss the violations. “We have contacted DNR regarding this situation,” said Kelly. “We are publicly demanding an immediate revocation of this circus’s permit for flagrant violations of Nova Scotia regulations.”

Details of the violations are outlined below. Cirque Estival has six more scheduled appearances in Nova Scotia this week, in Louisdale, Whycocomagh, Windsor, Kentville, Brookfield and Amherst.

1. s.2.7.D Para 3 It is unacceptable to tether elephants via the use of metal leg bands and chains, therefore any circus considering holding elephants must be competent in containing elephants via the use of electric fencing for the majority of daylight hours every day. For safety reasons only padded tethers, with a minimum of one swivel to prevent tangling, will be allowed at night, during storms, when the elephant trainer/handler is temporarily absent from the circus, and in emergency situations.
Although there was an electric fence at no point was it turned on. This is one of the most serious infractions as some elephants in the past have broken through barriers and killed people. The head trainer openly refused to turn the fence on until he was directed to. We have serious reservations as to whether this fence will be turned on at the next venues and believe that there is a credible public safety concern.

2. s.4.9. Stand-off barriers with a minimum distance of two (2) meters beyond the maximum reach of the animals must be in place when animals in display housing can be approached by the general public.
During the period while Limba was being filmed by CTV, the circus trainer moved the inner barrier (electric fence which at no point was turned on). He brought Limba directly to the outer barrier to play with the children to be filmed, allowing the public to approach limba and have direct contact.

3. s.6.4.A.4 Big cat display enclosures must have access to sunlight and shade from direct sunlight during daylight hours. Potable drinking water and shelter from environmental extremes must be provided at all times, to satisfy the needs of all the cats housed within.
The jaguar did not have shade until the inspectors showed up, when a tarp was used to cover the internal cage.

4. s.6.4.C.3 The compound must have access to sunlight and shade from direct sunlight during daylight hours. Potable drinking water and shelter from climatic extremes must be provided at all times to satisfy the needs of all the ungulates held within the compound. The ground underfoot must be clean, well-drained, non-abrasive and not stony.
The Camels did not have access to shade.

5. s.16.1..A.3 Big cats while on display must always have access to an area away from public view.
This did not happen until the inspectors came and ordered it.

6. s.16.1.D.1 It should always be remembered that elephants are potentially dangerous to members of the public, and pictorial signs must be used on safety barriers to alert the public to this fact. The general public must never have access to the elephants.
See s.4.9. During the period while Limba was being filmed by CTV, the circus trainer moved the inner barrier (electric fence which at no point was turned on). He brought Limba directly to the outer barrier to play with the children to be filmed, allowing the public to approach Limba and have direct contact.

7. s.19.1.A.1. Big cats must have access to wood in their display cages to serve as scratching and marking posts. Round untreated pine uprights are a suitable material.
8. s.19.1.A.2. Most big cats utilize trees in their natural habitat therefore high perches and places to climb must be provided in display cages holding them. Perches should be constructed of round section wood and provide at least one fork for an animal to rest in and placed in such manner to ensure containment. Folding raised shelving must be in place within the transporter to provide elevated areas for all big cats.
None of these features where available.

9. s.19.1.D.2. … In between shows elephants must be given a daily variation of durable objects to play with, provided these objects are not capable of causing the elephants injury.
Limba had no durable objects to play with.

10. and 11. s.19.1.C.1. As equine, ungulates and camelids are herd animals, they derive stimulation in interacting with other members of their own species, therefore they must be housed with their own wherever possible. Where two individuals sharing the same enclosure results in constant fighting or bullying, these individuals must be physically but not visually separated.
Both the Zebra and the pony were exhibited – and continue to travel with the circus – without others of their species.

The Standards Exhibiting Circus Animals in Nova Scotia can be found online at http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/web/circus.htm.

The Nova Scotia SPCA is a non-profit registered charity organized under the provincial Animal Cruelty Prevention Act, dedicated to the prevention of cruelty to animals and to the promotion of respect and humane care for animals. The Nova Scotia SPCA relies almost entirely on donations to sustain its animal cruelty investigations unit.

Media requests and inquiries will be most quickly addressed by directing them to media@spcans.ca.