TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) and the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) have issued show cause notices to circus owners after investigating 16 circuses across India by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India and Animal Rahat.
CZA in its show cause notice said that it was considering withdrawing the recognition of circuses as a ‘captive animal facility’, making them an illegal establishment to keep the custody of any wild animals, such as elephants.
The investigation conducted from November 2012 to July 2013 found rampant use of weapons; animals who had died from inadequate care or who had gone “missing”; drunk circus staff who were handling animals; nearly constant chaining and caging and other severe confinement of elephants, dogs, cats, birds and other animals; animals who showed signs of severe psychological distress, including constant swaying, circling and even self-biting; the use of elephants and other animals who were nearly blind or had severe eye problems in performances and other cruelties.
The investigation was authorised by the AWBI, a statutory body operating under the Ministry of Environment and Forests and follows reports of Moonlight Circus animals who were left hungry in Goa after the circus owner was arrested for alleged rape and human trafficking.
PETA India wants the government to ban the use of animals in circuses following the lead of Cyprus, Bolivia, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In its official 39th general meeting meetings, the AWBI confirmed, that “In view of the [PETA India] report, the Board decided to stop immediate performance of all the injured and aged animals in the circuses mentioned in the report and seize them after making arrangement for rehabilitation with some of the AWOs and Zoos.”
The note further stated, “The Board decided to stop registration of elephants for performance under Performing Animals Rules in view of huge cruelties and abuse suffered by them.”
