Jumbo: A rescue bailout
Everything had been organized over many weeks for the seizure of Jumbo. But this Tuesday, February 26th 2019, after a violent outburst from the circus Muller against the police force, it had to be postponed.
Everything had been organized for weeks for the seizure of Jumbo. We had everything prepared. The driver and the truck, a secure place, a sanctuary in Africa and despite state officials engaged and wanting to uphold the law. This Tuesday, February 26th 2019 assisted by officials of the law to prevent any violence from the Circassians that could cost the life of somone, including that of themselves, the seizure had to be cancelled. We are more determined than ever to allow Jumbo to finally live in his ancestral lands.
A finding of a flagrant offence, the seizure confirmed
The
seizure is scheduled for Monday, February 25th,
the ONCFS and the veterinarian could witness this flagrante offence.
Compliance requests had been already made last year, none of which
had been complied with either on the detention of Jumbo, nor on the
safety of the public. But the hippopotamus was out of the tin box
that serves as his home, and was stressed, he charged one of the
keepers. Under these conditions impossible to proceed with the
seizure, which was postponed to the next morning.
Circassians in violation, who used abuse and violence
But
this Tuesday morning, the Police had to face violence from a
group, this highly charged atmosphere quickly degenerating into
violence.
The
circus people once again showed their true face, the one without
makeup or costume. Faced with the authority of the state, they did
not hesitate to distribute punches, to throw metal barriers. Quickly,
trucks were installed around the trailer where Jumbo lives, to make
it even more difficult to seize the hippo.
The
death threats, which the owner of the circus Muller has already
resorted to against animal defenders on social networks, then
rocketed against our drivers, their families and also the Police! A
fork in his hand, one of the circus people attacked a Policeman, who
saw the spikes dangerously close to his face.
A dangerous escalation against the authorities
Seeing
no way out without injuries, the authorities decided to cancel the
seizure. We were then on the verge of a tragedy.
Impunity
has no place in the rule of the law. The police were exemplary, both
in their commitment to us and in the calm that they showed in the
face of this outburst of violence against them. They had come to
defend an unfortunate hippopotamus whose life is nothing, being
constantly locked up in a truck.
Jumbo
is subjected daily to the will of the trainers and our incessant
investigations show for three years now how much he suffers.
Justice
will not stop there and neither will we. This setback only reinforces
our determination. Your support in these circumstances is our
strength. For Jumbo, please sign the petition.
Saturday, March 23rd
at 11:30, we are organizing a rally next to the Pompidou Centre in
Paris. All information is on Facebook about the event. Let’s be many
for Jumbo!