Monday 18 March 2019 | 28

Jumbo: A rescue bailout

Jumbo: A rescue bailout

Mis à jour le 01 May 2019

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.

Hr blog

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!

Julia Mothé
Hr blog

In the subject

Against all odds for Samba, the last ‘circus’ elephant, whose suffering has broken the State’s indifference We will defend the animals from the Franco-Belge Circus before the courts.

Comments 28

I accept that publication of my comments is subject to the code of conduct.

Sarah | Thursday 11 February 2021

C'est tout bonnement scandaleux. Je suis envahie de désespoir en lisant cela. Donc si même une décision judiciaire ne suffit pas, que ces tortionnaires appliquent leur loi, que pouvons-nous faire de plus ? Jumbo et ses amis sont actuellement dans ma ville. Pas de spectacle dû à la pandémie. Ils en ont fait un zoo à 5€ l'entrée. Des associations et des habitants viennent donner à manger aux animaux et même aux tortionnaires !
Je suis révoltée et profondément triste. Même la police n'y est pas arrivée. C'est du délire.

Béa | Thursday 18 April 2019

C'est un véritable scandale !!!Les forces de l'ordre qui viennent les mains nues et reculent devant des circassiens qui dictent leur loi..La vie d'un hippopotame privé de liberté, des soins élémentaires n'est-elle pas en mesure de faire respecter la LOI...Il serait grand temps que ce gouvernement légifère une fois pour toute contre ces cirques qui détiennent des animaux sauvages.Mr MACRON tentez un jour de vous pencher sur cet épineux problème et vous qui vous prétendez progressiste REJOIGNEZ ENFIN TOUS CES PAYS QUI ONT EU LE COURAGE DE DIRE "NON" à ces pratiques avilissantes et cruelles.
lorsqu'on tire un tigre en plein Paris au fond d'une impasse ....il n'y a pas de quoi faire "cocorico".C'est juste MONSTRUEUX !!!

Emma | Thursday 18 April 2019

Non mais on nage en plein délire? Ces gens font obstruction à une décision de justice, se montrent agressifs envers citoyens et forces de l'ordre dans l'exercice de leurs fonction, et ils s'en tirent sans conséquences?
Mais ça n'est pas juste Jumbo et sa remorque qui doivent être saisis, mais tous leurs camions et tous les animaux présents !

Séverine | Friday 12 April 2019

Je suis contre les animaux dans les cirques