Scotland could “go it alone” and ban the use of wild animals in circuses. And when there are so many happy human performers – why not?
Last week, the Scottish Parliament debated that very question. Elaine Murray MSP described the shocking abuse of Anne, an elderly, arthritic elephant kept in the Bobby Roberts’ Super Circus and her stablemate, Monty the camel. And it was not just the outright abuse, but the dismal, unnatural environment that concerned her:
“The more that we learn through research about the intelligence and complex social behaviour of elephants, the more we realise how cruel the incarceration of that solitary animal for such a long time really was.”
The Labour MSP also commended Animal Defenders International, for gathering evidence of Anne’s ill treatment, and OneKind in Scotland “for highlighting the issue every time that the circus travelled to Scotland.”
Inexplicably, following the latest evidence of harsh treatment of animals in a circus, the UK government did not immediately heed calls from animal welfare organisations, vets, politicians and the public to ban this outdated and unnecessary use of animals. Rather than swiftly putting a stop to the wild animal circuses, DEFRA opted for a complex and expensive licensing scheme, and even then, only after further consultation.
As well as asking politicians south of the border to continue the fight for an outright ban, OneKind has urged the Scottish Government to act independently on this issue. There are no circuses based in Scotland, but some do tour from England and Europe, and up to this year, poor Anne the elephant was one of the animals regularly exhibited in our towns and cities each summer.
Thoughtful contributions were made in last week’s debate by MSPs Kevin Stewart (SNP), Hugh Henry (Scottish Labour) and Alison Johnstone (Scottish Greens). And Environment Minister, Stewart Stevenson MSP, also appeared to be listening. He agreed that “virtually nobody” could fail to be moved by the plight of Anne the elephant. He was not convinced that the incident was anything other than “an isolated example of systematic abuse”, but he accepted that the debate was also about “the restriction of liberty and normal behaviours”.
The Minister concluded:
“Elaine Murray asks me to state that it is unacceptable for animals to be used for entertainment, and I am absolutely happy to do so. I will continue to work with the member to bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion.”
We don’t often say it – but well said, Minister. OneKind has written to Stewart Stevenson with further information about the suffering of wild animals in circuses, and we will continue to press for movement towards a ban in Scotland. After last week, it looks just a little more likely.