Following the drama of Lizy-sur-Ourcq, the challenges of the trial
On 30 June, a trial will be held in Meaux following the escape of a circus elephant, which caused the death of a man on 8 September in Lizy-sur-Ourcq. One Voice hopes that the real issues at stake will be addressed.
What are these issues?
The first is to question the presence of elephants in circuses and its consequences for public safety. The tragedy in Lizy-sur-Ourcq sadly illustrates that travelling circuses with elephants cannot guarantee the safety of the public and residents of the towns that host them. How could they, when they are unable to meet the basic physical and psychological needs of animals endowed with extraordinary strength?
The results of the One Voice investigation conducted after the accident in Lizy-sur-Ourcq are damning, both in terms of the conditions in which the elephants are kept and in terms of public safety.
In support of this survey, the report for One Voice written in May 2014 by Dr John Knight on the situation of elephants in circuses and the increasingly deteriorating condition of Samba (whom he had already studied in 2005) speaks for itself. This eminent wildlife specialist points out, with material and scientific evidence to support his claims, the dramatic consequences for the health and behaviour of pachyderms kept in circuses and the safety and health risks for humans.
The second issue is ethical. How can we justify depriving a being with acute sensitivity and recognised intelligence of its freedom and most basic needs (walking, drinking at will, washing, eating a varied diet, having a social life)? Finally, how can we justify forcing it to perform tricks that go against its nature?