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Animal Cruelty in Circus

 

 

By Mr. Sandeep Kr. Jain

 

The hue and cry made by the Jumbo circus performing at Khanna is to get public sympathy, is not genuine. Since every Circus/Animal performer has to get registration with the Animal Welfare Board India. This circus has also applied. An inspection has to be conducted before granting registration. AWBI Secretary Dr. Somesh Banik has informed me that when Circus Head office at Kannur (kerala) was contacted to know the place of their camp, it was informed that it is performing at Nasik. When inspection team went there it moved from there without any information to board so that necessary formalities can be completed. Same was happened when the inspector returned empty handed from Bandra (Maharashtra). It was only at Bhatinda, inspection was done by me and report was sent to my head quarter at Chennai. Secretary AWBI communicated the report to its Owners and a copy to Manager at Bhatinda. It seems funny that inspite of making up the deficiencies and following the rules and regulations laid by Govt., they try to hold the board responsible for their lapses.

About two months ago on receiving communication from an animal lover of Bhatinda, Mr. Shakher Garg, that cruelty treatment is given to a Chimpanzee in Jumbo Circus, performing at that place. Shakher wrote that Chimpanzee was badly chained & tied with a toy train, which he drives. He was kept in a very small cage with an iron band around his neck. I, being Member of Animal Welfare Board of India (Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India), immediately faxed this complaint to District Magistrate. D. M. Bhatinda, Mr. Anurag Verma I. A. S., immediately sent his Assistant Commissioner to Circus to verify the fact & that show was banned.

On getting information from Animal Welfare Board of India, that the Circus has not been registered with Animal Welfare Board of India, I went there for inspection as per Powers conferred under sec.14 &15 of Performing Animals (Registration) Rules & found that one Hippo is unable to see due to opacity of both the eyes. The Chimpanzee was tossing in agony and was in bad shape. The felines (9 lions, 9 Tigers, four Black Panthers) were kept in very small, transport enclosures. Wings of Birds were clipped. I asked the D. M. about this, it was also advised to shift the Hippo and Chimpanzee rehabilitation center for treatment by expert veterinarians having sufficient experience to handle the wildlife either at Chatt Bir zoo/PAU or at Wildlife Institute at Dehradoon. The D.M. immediately issued instructions to stop all the performances by Animals, as it is not registered with AWBI. Central Zoo authority also issued Instructions for rehabilitation of sick wild Animals, which could not take place due to indifference by wildlife officials. The Circus shifted from that place.

Another Circus, which was performing at Jalandhar had shifted from Chandigarh, was Bharat Circus, having 2 Elephants, 9Horses, 1Camel, 1 Goat, 10 Exotic Parrots, 10 Dogs. This was also not registered with AWBI under Performing Animals (Registration) Rules 2001.On complaint District Magistrate Mr. K. Shiva Prasad I. A. S. immediately stopped performing of all Animals and asked the Police to Book the case under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and rules there under. Now it has moved to Amritsar.

Both the Circuses were not having any Regular vet. on pay rolls. Both Circuses were not having any record of vaccination /treatment. People may be aware of the tragic death of a pair of beautiful tigers, in Komal Circus, about two years back, due to negligence of circus Management. The Hippo was earlier with the Komal Circus and doubts regarding its vision were also raised at that time. Moreover in case of Jumbo Circus they were having ownership certificate of two pelicans, 31 Lions, 15 Tigers, 6 Black panthers, 2 Elephants, 2 Bears, 1 Chimpanzee, 16 Exotic Parrots (Macao, Cockatoos & African parrots). But physically there was less stock and it was having Four Indian Parrots without ownership certificate. This was also informed to Wildlife authorities and a case was booked under Wildlife Protection Act 1972, against an employee of Circus at Patiala where it is performing. He was arrested. D. M. Patiala had ordered the D. F. O. to send the Hippo & Chimpanzee to rescue centre, but he gave time to circus to get stay from High Court.

Similar complaints have been received from Hyderabad and Gujarat, where Great Royal Circus and Rambo Circus were performing, respectively. Usually Circuses flout the Rules openly as there is no regular check on these. At every new place, they try, and most of the times succeed, in resorting to start the Animal shows, which they cannot perform.

Since it has become difficult to acquire Indian Wild Animals, so they try their hands on exotic Animals and Birds, which are covered by CITES (Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species), but commonly ignored by Forest officials by saying that these are not covered by Wildlife Protection Act 1972.The ownership records are not available or not shown. This leads to suspicion that these are acquired by illegal means.

 

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Article Courtesy : Dr. Sandeep K. Jain, Executive Member, Animal Welfare Board of India.
Address : 4733,Near Jain Mandir, Sunder Nagar, Ludhiana, Punjab-141007, India.
Tel: 91-161-2650051, 2640051 (R) 2609948, Fax: 0161-2664407. E-Mail : jeevdaya@rediffmail.com
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