ADI release Colombian circus cruelty video as Senate prepares to discuss
ban
Animal Defenders International (ADI) has launched new video
evidence exposing the continued abuse of animals in circuses across
Colombia. It is hoped that Colombia will be the fifth country in South
America to ban the use of animals in traveling circuses, following a global
trend that has now seen over 20 countries introduce bans.
ADI's
disturbing images were unveiled today at the Colombian Congress, Bogota, to
support Bill 244 which, after successful consideration in the House of
Representatives, is about to go before the Senate.
The new video
presented by Colombian actress Margarita Ortega reveals:
. A circus
worker repeatedly hitting, and shouting at, an elephant
. Violence
inflicted on tigers, elephants, and ponies
. Llamas being wrestled with
and hit
. Dogs, tigers and a horse displaying disturbed repetitive
behavior
. A mandrill desperately screaming whilst attempting to escape
from his cage
ADI Vice President Tim Phillips: "The findings of ADI's
latest investigation reveal, yet again, that animals continue to endure
violent abuse in circuses across Colombia. Nothing has changed since our
2007 investigation, which so shocked the Colombian people, so it is vital
that the proposed Bill progresses through Parliament swiftly to end the
suffering of these animals as soon as possible."
"Since ADI launched
our major investigation of the South American circus industry Bolivia,
Ecuador, Peru and Paraguay have all introduced prohibitions on the use of
animals in circuses, as have a number of European countries. This brings the
total number of bans around the world to over 20."
Today's event at
the Colombian Congress, backed by a huge coalition of Colombian animal
protection groups, featured human circus performers and made the point
circuses are not only more enjoyable, but thrive, without animals. The
colourful display contrasts with the disturbing presentations of abuse in
Colombian circuses
The Bill to ban the use of animals in circuses has
been unanimously approved in both committee and plenary stages of the House
of Representatives and will now be debated in the Senate.
Elsewhere,
the Dutch and British Governments have confirmed that they plan to ban the
use of wild animals in traveling circuses, whilst Bills for such bans are
also before the Congresses of the USA and Brazil.
http://www.ad-international.org/animals_in_entertainment/go.php?id=2912&ssi=10
NOTES:
Supporting organizations
The event was organised by
Animal Defenders International with the support of a host of organisations/individuals
including: Augusto Posada Representative, Senator Camilo Sanchez FOA,
Fundaci�n Amigos del Planeta, ADA, Amigos por la Protecci�n Animal,
Fundaci�n MIA, Protecci�n Animal Javeriana, Agenda Animal, Bios, ADAN,
Defensa Animal, EduCambiente, Fedamco, CLAN, AnimaNaturalis, ORCA,
Econciencia, Ceaps, REN, Fundaci�n Patitas de la Calle, Revoluci�n de la
Cuchara, Vida Silvestre, Voces Animales, Muro de Espuma, Chig�iro Estudio,
Hosanna, Abogados O.M.M, entre otras organizaciones y defensores
independientes.FOA.
Stop Circus Suffering Colombia campaign
The ADI campaign to 'Stop Circus Suffering' in Colombia was launched in 2007
with a screening of our first investigation, the images from which - we
stated at the time - were "some of the most sickening we have seen". They
included a chimpanzee called Karla being punched in the face and beaten with
a chain. The launch was part of a pan-South American campaign which has
since seen circus bans introduced in Bolivia, Peru and Paraguay.
National measures to restrict either all or wild animals in circuses, have
been adopted in Austria, Bosnia Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Greece, Slovakia, Sweden, Portugal, Taiwan, Singapore, Bolivia, Peru,
Paraguay, Costa Rica, India and Israel. Similar laws are being discussed in
the United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and
Norway.
Animal Defenders International
Millbank Tower, Millbank,
London SW1P 4QP
Tel: 020 7630 3340
www.ad-international.org
