Four lionesses rescued: Press release
On 17 June, the Criminal Court of Bourges ordered the permanent confiscation of the four lionesses — and the tigress Isis, who has since died — which were seized in 2023 from the Ricardo Zavatta Circus. Two of the three brothers implicated were convicted and banned from working with wild animals for five years. For One Voice and Free Life, who initiated the proceedings, the main objective has been achieved: these big cats have been rescued from the circus.
In early 2023, in the Allier region, a joint investigation by One Voice and Free Life revealed the conditions in which the big cats were being kept at the Ricardo Zavatta Circus: four lionesses and a white tigress crammed into a trailer from which they were never let out. No access to the outdoors, no pool, nothing to alleviate the constant stress of confinement — to the extent that they were trying to sharpen their claws on the bars. Together with its partner Free Life, the organisation filed a complaint. In June 2023, while the circus had set up illegally in Santranges, in the Cher region, the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB) inspected the premises and had the five big cats seized; they were immediately taken to a sanctuary.
The court’s ruling
Having sat on 27 May, the Criminal Court of Bourges delivered its verdict on 17 June. The ruling prioritises the animals’ safety: the four lionesses Mascotte, Terga, Elsa and Princesse, as well as the tigress Isis (who has since died), were permanently confiscated. They will not be returning to the circus.
Furthermore, two of the three brothers were banned for five years from any professional activity involving the keeping and use of live non-domestic animals, and each was fined €3,600 (180 daily fines of €20). The third brother was acquitted. The court awarded financial compensation to the association Tonga Terre d’Accueil, which took in the big cats and has been responsible for their care and custody since the start of the proceedings. It also awarded compensation to One Voice and Free Life for their non-pecuniary damage and legal costs. The defendants have until 1 July to lodge an appeal.
“We would like to thank the OFB and all the authorities who intervened to enforce the law. This is exceptional in France, where, for example, the three circuses run by the Muller family continue to keep lions, tigers and other protected wild animals in conditions that are both illegal and abusive, without ever being held to account. The rescue of these big cats and the conviction of their tormentors remain an exception, when it should be the norm,” said Muriel Arnal, President of One Voice.
The fight continues for all animals still in captivity
For these four lionesses, the ordeal is over. For many others, it still goes on. In the case of these lionesses, the authorities intervened due to the lack of a ‘recreational enclosure’. For other circuses, such as those run by the Muller family, which have committed repeated offences, nothing is being done. As a heatwave sweeps across the country, wild animals remain locked up in metal trailers and iron cages with no means of cooling down.
The Act of 30 November 2021 provides for a ban on the keeping of wild animals in travelling circuses with effect from 1 December 2028. But a law alone will not be enough to open the cages. Beyond this date, One Voice will continue its fight to ensure that every single one of these animals really is released from the circus and taken to a refuge or sanctuary where they can finally live according to their needs. Investigations, alerts to the authorities, legal action: the organisation is working tirelessly towards this goal.
Four lionesses rescued: Press release
Ricardo Zavatta Circus: Mascotte, Terga, Elsa and Princesse will never be transported in a trailer again