Archives: News

In Gannat, MBR Farms plays cat and mouse at the expense of dogs for the purposes of animal testing

In Gannat, MBR Farms plays cat and mouse at the expense of dogs for the purposes of animal testing

In Gannat, MBR Farms plays cat and mouse at the expense of dogs for the purposes of animal testing
10.03.2021
Gannat
In Gannat, MBR Farms plays cat and mouse at the expense of dogs for the purposes of animal testing
Animal testing

In Gannat, a laboratory breeding farm, where experiments on dogs have also taken place, is looking to expand… even more. At the beginning of 2019, we lodged an appeal at the Clermont-Ferrand administrative court with our partner, FNE Allier. The case is still ongoing.

Gannat, in the department of Allier, along with many other French towns with 6,000 inhabitants, shares the hope of having a vibrant economy. Developing its business activities there is essential, even if it involves living animals paying a high price for it. But here like everywhere else, One Voice cannot accept that the legal rules are surpressed, especially when it concerns the fate of thousands of innocent dogs destined for experiments for so-called scientific purposes and for the benefit of merciless multinational businesses.

Area of what? Of lawlessness!

We had already fought against dog breeding in 1999. Moreover, we succeeded in saving four bitches purely considered and labelled a ‘product’ in this dog factory, where images had recently been unveiled by the organisation L214.

And in March 2019, we applied for a court order with France Nature Environnement Allier for the rescindment of a decree in which the town, at the beginning of 2019, allowed the company MBR Farms to demolish five buildings and build a new one for ‘industrial’ purposes.

The set-up is complicated: Envigo (ex-Harlan, global industrial giant of so-called animal laboratories and a stakeholder in MBR Farms) occupied delapidated buildings for the same activity located in Portes Occitanes Avenue, near to the Intermarché supermarket, to Point P, to Gedimat, to the local McDonald’s… In short, a commercial area when this type of activity had facilities classed as a risk to the environment and requires impact assessments for every extension, in this case 3,600 square metres more…

Playing cat and mouse with the law

The authorities are playing cat and mouse with the law here, a bit like in Mézilles. Their version is a tall story: when the Mayor says that ‘producing’ dogs for laboratories is an industrial activity, you can agree with her that the birth rate and the barbaric treatment of dogs alludes to industry. But in fact, can raising animals be exempt from the rules of animal welfare and environmental protection in force in the specialised fields in accordance with her own elected opinion?

It seems (a document has yet to be produced) that the local prefect had also given MBR Farms an impact assessment on this development, calling into question the noise pollution and the sewerage. But obviously, if it gets bigger, it will be better on all levels, because the Mayor guarantees that there will be no change to the volume of business despite the extension. We’ll see…

We have therefore challenged MBR Farms in every legal way possible about the legality of this extension of buildings to the administrative court of Clermont-Ferrand with FNE Allier. This extension is dedicated to the despicable practice involving the breeding of an assembly line of dogs to sell them to laboratories where they are tortured for experiments. No extra space should be given to this business! The case is still ongoing.

Sign our petition for total transparency on animal testing, financing alternative methods and the systematic and unique use of these when they exist!

Translated from the French by Sophie Martin

Silabe, an establishment within the University of Strasbourg, at the heart of the international trade in monkeys for animal experimentation

Silabe, an establishment within the University of Strasbourg, at the heart of the international trade in monkeys for animal experimentation

Silabe, an establishment within the University of Strasbourg, at the heart of the international trade in monkeys for animal experimentation
09.03.2021
France
Silabe, an establishment within the University of Strasbourg, at the heart of the international trade in monkeys for animal experimentation
Animal testing

One Voice has seen information according to which more than a thousand long-tailed macaques have been imported year after year and forwarded to our neighbours elsewhere in Europe.

Photo: Cruelty Free International/SOKO-Tierschutz

France at the heart of a secretive and cruel trade

For many years France has been, via the ‘Silabe Platform’, a staging post for – and moreover a place for experiments on – thousands of primates from Mauritius and Vietnam en route to laboratories in Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy, such as Accelera, Aptuit, Bayer AG, Covance and Merck, where they spend the rest of their sad lives subjected to experiments.

It is likely that some of the monkeys also undergo tests in France, after very probably arriving at Roissy in the holds of Air France planes. Silabe has already been at the heart of controversies, revelations, demonstrations and campaigns, in particular by other French associations, which had found themselves up against a brick wall[1].

Silabe used to be run by a private association benefiting from ministerial funds and controlled by the University of Strasbourg. It is now part of the University and takes the form of a national public educational establishment of a scientific, cultural and professional nature. The primates involved are often very young. Many of those from Mauritius are barely a year and a half old. Small vulnerable babies, weighing about two kilos are sent in ‘batches’, as cargo in transit crates, far from the nurturing and protection of their mothers. The length of the journeys and the conditions of transport are terribly distressing for the infant monkeys : stress, fear etc. And what is waiting for them? Being restrained on cold tiled laboratory benches, having holes cut or drilled into their skulls, electrodes planted into their brains, or having chemicals and drugs forced into their bodies, poisoning …. As monkeys are very valuable to researchers, the survivors are sometimes sold to other laboratories for yet more years of experiments. Finally, euthanasia or slaughter awaits them, with no glimpse of another life, no retirement.

A reduction in the number of animals used in research: utopia?

European law stipulates that primates used for scientific purposes should come exclusively from breeding establishments or colonies maintained with no introductions of animals taken from the wild; This applies as from 10 November 2022 for all the members of the EU, including France. It, therefore, strengthens the rules applying to the trade in monkeys. But who is going to monitor it, especially in the countries where the animals are captured and bred for export?

The European regulations also stipulate that fewer animal procedures must be carried out in research in general. But what is likely to happen?

The continuing lack of transparency

Moreover Silabe is only one stage in these transfers, among so many others. Year after year the figures for the use of animals in research in France stagnate at an unbelievable level! Looking into the issue there is an obvious lack of transparency.

Another question that needs to be answered : although the trade in primates from Vietnam and Mauritius to Europe is allowed, why is France in general and the Silabe platform in particular a staging post?

We have written to Frédérique Vidal, the Minister of Research, to bring this matter to her attention. We and our partner Action for Primates (United Kingdom) need your support! Please join us in writing a letter to the Embassies of Mauritius and Vietnam to bring an end to the exporting of monkeys to France for pointless experiments. And please sign our petition for total transparency about animals used in experiments, the financing of non-animal alternatives and the systematic and exclusive use of such alternatives where they exist!

[1] Campaigns and demonstrations

A new stage in our attempts to get Dumba out of the circus

A new stage in our attempts to get Dumba out of the circus

A new stage in our attempts to get Dumba out of the circus
17.02.2021
Gard
A new stage in our attempts to get Dumba out of the circus
Exploitation for shows

Given that the prosecutor of Alès seems to be telling us that we have no case in relation to Dumba, we are writing to the relevant authorities in order to set new procedures in motion. As with all the animals that we defend, we are doing everything we possibly can for her.

There are actually laws governing how humans treat wild animals held in captivity so it would be a good thing if legal professionals ensured that they were observed instead of hiding behind pretence and opaque expert opinions. In this case we are denouncing not just illegal but also immoral acts. We are not only militant activists but fighters again the – many – infringements of laws and regulations. Moreover we have brought to the case no fewer than six expert opinions, which agree with one another in attesting that Dumba shows numerous signs of suffering. Finally, images taken by journalists show that the trainer is contravening the regulations, in particular relating to the safety of the public.

Why come to a decision before reading the arguments? Why not judge on the facts?

A prosecutor who shows no signs of life

The prosecutor of Alès, to whom we addressed our complaint in January, did not respond to any of our requests. Therefore, in order to continue to defend Dumba whatever happens – it is observance of the rules that is making us proceed in this way – we wrote to him once again to remind him of our requests, namely the seizure of Dumba (or the duty to move her to a place of safety) and the withdrawal of her trainer’s certificate of competence. On 5 April we shall thus be able to take civil action or lodge a complaint with the Principal State Prosecutor. In other words, change up a gear.

A prefect challenged

We have also written officially to the Prefect of Gard to ask for the certificate of competence of the trainer Kludsky to be withdrawn and for the elephant to be removed, or for the operator of the circus to be issued with a notice to comply with an order to hand her over to a sanctuary. In fact the Prefect is supposed to guarantee the welfare of wild animals held in captivity on his territory.

Support from an influential international star

Touched by the images we took in January, Cher, a joint founder of the NGO Free The Wild, has written a letter to Barbara Pompili about our fight with FAADA on behalf of Dumba and asking her to offer her a peaceful retirement. We have made sure that a place is waiting for Dumba at the French sanctuary Elephant Haven. It is high time that animals who are suffering and being mistreated were helped by those responsible for them, not only by those who make it their mission to do so.

Unless we hear anything different from the Public Prosecutor’s Department in the meantime the new deadlines relating to Dumba will be in April. We will not abandon her. Attempting to get things moving is a long process and requires patience and tenacity. But we have plenty of both and will not give up. Ever.

translated by Patricia Fairey MCIL

Dolphinariums in China, the return of a bad omen for the orcas held by Marineland

Dolphinariums in China, the return of a bad omen for the orcas held by Marineland

Dolphinariums in China, the return of a bad omen for the orcas held by Marineland
13.02.2021
France
Dolphinariums in China, the return of a bad omen for the orcas held by Marineland
Exploitation for shows

More than a year ago we warned that Marineland in Antibes was planning to send Inouk, Wikie, Moana and Keijo to a dolphinarium in China. After a month ofcampaigning and three lines of denial, Marineland said it had no plans to send the orcas to China… in 2020.

Après 1 mois de campagne et 3 lignes de démenti, Marineland annonce qu’aucun transfert des orques vers la Chine n’est prévu en 2020. Nous y veillerons! Merci à tous! Merci @cestrosi pour Inouk, Keijo, Moana et Wikie. Merci @lauratenoudji et @hugoclement #UnSanctuairePasLaChine https://t.co/zW8WHFS4Dl

— One Voice (@onevoiceanimal) January 3, 2020

A rumour that is unfortunately being confirmed

Since the announcements made by Barbara Pompili and the bill on the mistreatment of animals, the days of dolphinariums in France are – finally – numbered. But now there are fresh rumours about the future of the orcas in France: two Chinese establishments are said to intend to resort to artificial insemination of orcas already held in China, but also to buy captive orcas of reproductive age from abroad. Several such establishments have already been identified: in Russia, the United States, Japan … and in Spain and France.

That’s when the declaration made by Marineland to Christian Estrosi during our campaign with Sea Shepherd last year becomes – unfortunately – interesting. It includes the statement « that the future of the animals in the park will depend on the decisions taken by the Ministry of Ecology« .

Parc Astérix, a model that should definitely not be followed!

When we see how Parc Astérix got rid – there is no other way of expressing it – of the dolphins held there, it is impossible not to be alarmed at what the next few weeks will bring. No, sending the orcas, ‘our’ orcas, to China could not be perceived as a fine gesture by Marineland. Allowing this transfer to take place would be scandalous!

Yes, our orcas must be saved!

The end of dolphinariums in France will be a victory only on condition that the animals currently held are given a well-earned retirement, not a one-way ticket to an even worse fate! Inouk, Wikie, Moana and Keijo must not be sent to another dolphinarium, and certainly not to China. They were born in France and it is our duty to offer them a better life, a real life, in a sanctuary!

Translated by Patricia Fairey MCIL

Avian influenza: investigation into duck hunters caught red-handed

Avian influenza: investigation into duck hunters caught red-handed

Avian influenza: investigation into duck hunters caught red-handed
09.02.2021
France
Avian influenza: investigation into duck hunters caught red-handed
Wildlife

What do hunters do when the law goes against them? They blatantly trample all over it. Our investigators filmed wildfowlers carrying live ducks in order to use them as decoys in the Somme even though it is dangerous and prohibited. Spreading bird flu? They just don’t care. The almost permanent special privileges that they benefit from have become an inherent part of their leisure activity, to the extent that it puts us in danger. We are lodging a complaint and are writing to Julien Denormandie and to the Prefect of the Somme department!

At the end of January our investigators went to the baie d’Authie Sud (estuary of the River Authie) and the baie de Somme. They brought back edifying images taken over only two half-days and in only two parking areas. Live birds are transported unceremoniously and quite openly in boxes and jute bags, by hunters, shotguns on shoulders, ready to use them as decoys or returning home from a night in the hide. This practice is widespread, as can be seen from the Facebook pages of the hunters’ associations in the Somme and newspaper articles on the subject.

Neither respect for the law nor common sense

Over the past few months cases of bird flu have become so common in France that hunting waterfowl, including ducks in the Somme department, has been banned. After standing up to and publicly threatening the authorities in the territory concerned, the hunters have decided to ignore the law and to defy the authorities. They have even set up an on-line appeal for funds to pay their fines and legal costs if they are challenged, which is also prohibited.

No observance of precautionary measures

They just don’t care that the law is there to protect the majority. They carry on, despite the hunting of migratory birds and others known as ‘waterfowl’ having been totally banned throughout the country in order to prevent the spread of deadly viruses that can be transmitted to humans. Moreover, although we’re in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, none of them was seen to be complying with the precautionary measures: no masks, no social distancing.

A practice prohibited for several months in the public interest

As ascertaining the level of bird flu and the means of monitoring and preventing it have been the responsibility of the Minister of Agriculture and Food since 2016, and as it was he who strengthened the preventive measures in October 2020, it is to him that we are turning to draw attention to the ban on transporting and releasing wildfowl and the ban on the use of decoys. This ban was promulgated in November in Somme, then a few days later at the national level. We have written to him and to the Prefect of Somme, the latter being the direct target of the violent show of strength made shamelessly by the hunters.

Those who have the public interest at heart must show strength and determination to ensure that the rules introduced to protect both humans and animals are observed. Every effort must be made. In view of the unauthorised display boards in the Bay, there’s still a long way to go.

It is one thing that some of our political representatives are totally indifferent to the fate of wild animals trapped, hunted down and massacred in the countryside and on the coasts of France, but the blatant violation of the laws that apply to everyone, in particular those that protect our health, is another. In our opinion both are important. But even for those who couldn’t care less about the fate of animals, consideration for other people and respect for the law that applies to everyone without distinction should at least be a priority.

In addition to our letters to the executive and administrative authorities, we are lodging a complaint against an « unspecified person » for infringing the health regulations, and for the ducks, for « placing them in a situation likely to cause suffering ». Please sign our petition for the radical reform of hunting.

We are asking to see the vet’s report in the interests of Dumba!

We are asking to see the vet’s report in the interests of Dumba!

We are asking to see the vet’s report in the interests of Dumba!
01.02.2021
Gard
We are asking to see the vet’s report in the interests of Dumba!
Exploitation for shows

Since investigating Dumba’s plight in Gard at the beginning of January we have had the images analysed by independent world-renowned experts on elephants. Having received our complaint on 4 January the Public Prosecutor’s Department also ordered a veterinary report on the elephant. The examination was carried out on Friday 29 January, in the presence of the press. We are asking for access to the expert’s report, in the interests of Dumba.

Immediately after the vet’s visit to Euzet, in Gard, where Dumba is being held, François Schneider, the prosecutor, declared: « This specialist’s report indicates that the animal is in good health and is living in suitable conditions. » We are asking Barbara Pompili for access to the vet’s report. In view of the number of evaluations One Voice has obtained from experts (six!) and their agreement on Dumba’s poor state of health, her appalling living conditions and her mental distress, it is important that all reports should be totally transparent and that the law should allow One Voice to have access to the report drawn up on the basis of the examination carried out on the premises of the trainer that contradicts other findings.

It should be remembered that our association is defending the interests of this elephant, which are obviously contrary to those of the person who is exploiting her. It is urgent and essential that the whole of this report be made available to the specialists who have attested in Dumba’s favour, who, it is important to note, have no link with the organization.

Mistreatment, a matter of opinion

We maintain that Dumba is being mistreated. There needs to be agreement on what mistreatment is. Are we talking about active mistreatment or passive mistreatment? Each is just as reprehensible as the other and the latter causes just as much damage. Passive mistreatment is failure to provide the animal with care appropriate to its requirements, for example. It does not consist of beatings but of what is hidden from view. In France there is a gap in the law relating to the welfare of wild animals held in captivity: there are no precise guidelines on the requirements of various species. The latest literature on elephants held in captivity confirms that they need to be able to roam freely over several hectares in the company of several other elephants and to communicate their traditions and culture within their group. Being deprived of this possibility constitutes mistreatment. Added to this is the criminal offence of not providing access to food, water and heating.

Two additional expert opinions on Dumba based on our videos and those made by journalists

The two most recent reports agree, as do the four previous reports, on the problems of Dumba’s posture and on her breathing, which is very worrying. But for Scott Blais, Chairman, CEO and co-founder of the Global Sanctuary for Elephants, the conditions in which she is being held are harmful and damaging to her welfare:

«It is grossly apparent that Dumba is managed in a facility that is negligent in its responsibility to provide conditions necessary to ensure her wellbeing. Dumba should immediately be removed and placed in a proper facility where she can receive adequate care, appropriate housing, and receive comprehensive medical evaluations.»

Margaret Whittaker, Chairperson and consultant in animal behaviour at Creative Animal Behavior Solutions, goes further and even adds a paragraph on training: « Based on the video, I cannot determine the training tools used on Dumba, but traditional training or free contact (FC) is certainly the foundation of her training as evidenced by the people around her directing her movements. This traditional training is based on the tenets of negative reinforcement training (NRT), which is demonstrated in the interview video when the people move her away from their touch, but pulling and pushing on her, which by definition, is NRT. »

We are asking for transparency in the case

Our role in this matter is to provide checks and balances to what the vet instructed by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Alès has said.

If the newspapers are to be believed, this vet’s report contradicts the six that we have obtained from independent and objective elephant experts throughout the world. Is the vet who has just carried out an inspection also an expert on elephants? Or, as in the case of Micha, a vet who specialises in equines, or, in the case of Maya, in dogs and cats?

Did he x-ray Dumba’s feet, which are causing her so much pain? Take swabs in order to understand the reason for her worrying breathing difficulties? These are all facts mentioned in the six reports.

Dumba is an intelligent, gregarious and socially complex creature. Being deprived of any care for forty years is certainly not a reason for her situation to continue. She must be kept neither in a wagon nor in a makeshift tent. Or if we are told that it is possible, perhaps we should send all wild animals kept in circuses to the paradise that is Euzet!

To support Dumba and all circus animals, you can sign our petition!

Femke, the martyred captive dolphin, is finally free

Femke, the martyred captive dolphin, is finally free

Femke, the martyred captive dolphin, is finally free
01.02.2021
Île-de-France
Femke, the martyred captive dolphin, is finally free
Exploitation for shows

Parc Astérix has just euthanised Femke. Today we read in the press that the plan had been to transfer her to another dolphinarium in France.Her ordeal has ended but our grief and anger have not. We had written to the manager of the Parc last week, along with our partners in the DFE coalition, asking for news of all the dolphins, and in particular of Femke, who was already very fragile.What happened? We are asking for access to the autopsy report.

Snatched from freedom among her companions off the coast of Florida, she was kept in a pool for almost forty years. Her son, Ekinox, was taken away from her. After decades of captivity Femke will have known nothing but suffering.

Muriel Arnal, Founder and Chair of One Voice, pays the following tribute: « Femke is no longer suffering, death is kinder than anything she lived through after being captured. Knowing that humans are capable of making dolphins undergo the atrocity of captivity and training, in full knowledge of their suffering, we have no words to express our indignation. »

The Parc had intended to send her to Planète Sauvage, another French dolphinarium near the Atlantic coast. After having used her good and loyal services to make the cash register ring, the Parc Astérix staff didn’t even offer her any medical treatment and retirement.

We had been alerting the dolphinarium and the authorities for a very long time. Femke needed to be separated from the group so that she would no longer be harassed by the sea lions, and by other dolphins – totally against their will. We are going to ask to see the autopsy report. There must be complete clarity about her final moments among us.

Translated by Patricia Fairey

Open letter to Nicolas Kremer, CEO Park Asterix

Open letter to Nicolas Kremer, CEO Park Asterix

Open letter to Nicolas Kremer, CEO Park Asterix
29.01.2021
France
Open letter to Nicolas Kremer, CEO Park Asterix
Exploitation for shows

Following Parc Astérix closing their dolphin facility, the Dolphinaria-Free Europe (DFE) coalition has written an open letter to the CEO of the facility regarding their future plans.

Subject: Concerns about dolphins

Dear Mr Nicolas Kremer,

We have learned that during the weekend of 23-24 January 2021, Guama and Cessol were transferred from Parc Astérix dolphinarium to Kolmården Wildlife Park in Sweden.

DFE is deeply concerned about the conditions of their transfer and the fact that neither of the dolphins is being held in isolation from the existing dolphin group at Kolmården. This failure to quarantine the animals and the transport caretakers as the permit conditions required, to guard against the transmission of the COVID-19 virus to people and dolphins, is irresponsible and frankly inexplicable during this global pandemic.

We understand that one of the two males is to be transferred yet again, to Nuremberg Zoo in Germany. Given the stress he will inevitably suffer during this subsequent transport and relocation, as well as having to settle with another group of dolphins, we feel he should have remained at Parc Astérix until a definitive solution was found for his ultimate disposition.

Given the little that we know, which is already extremely alarming, we are deeply concerned about the welfare of the other animals, at Parc Astérix and Kolmården, and we would ask you to provide us with a status report of each of Parc Astérix’s remaining dolphins, in particular Femke, and updates on how and when they were, or are to be, transferred.

We look forward to receiving a swift and honest response from you.

Yours sincerely,
Dolphinaira-Free Europe

Grain de Malice: for playful fashion, without suffering

Grain de Malice: for playful fashion, without suffering

Grain de Malice: for playful fashion, without suffering
27.01.2021
France
Grain de Malice: for playful fashion, without suffering
Fashion

This national retailer of women’s clothes campaigns for fashion without fur. It received the label of Fur Free Retailer (FFR), launched by the European coalition Fur Free Alliance, for whom we are representatives in France.

Grain de Malice wears its name well. This French fashion retailer campaigns for dazzling and colourful fashion. With a smile as its philosophy, it is aimed at active women who are looking for proximity (*), advice, involvement and togetherness.

Keen to make its collections more eco-friendly, the company has made the CSE one of its cornerstones. For several years, it has supported the use of recycled fibres or those coming from sustainable sources and offers fashion items which are designed and adapted for all figures and body shapes. It pays particular attention to comfort as well as to the small details which make all the difference: finishing touches, quality of materials and accessories and durability of the clothes.

Logically, the choice of labelling its products fur-free has been essential: «We have not made anything with real fur for a long time out of belief, and we are concerned for animal welfare. Labelling our products as such and our commitment to the programme, amongst other things, allow us to commit strongly to responsible fashion without animal cruelty.»

It is therefore with enormous pleasure that we welcome them on board to support ethical fashion. Grain de Malice thereby joins the ever-growing list of brands involved in the change of our society and wishing to begin the world of tomorrow. An altruistic and sensitive world.

(*) Sales outlets: chain stores and franchises located in town centres, shopping centres or retail parks. Also on sale at certain online stores: La Redoute, Brandalley…

https://www.facebook.com/GraindeMaliceFrance
https://www.instagram.com/grain_de_malice/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUae5NiRHnk6gT6pe6vzIRw

Translated from the French by Sophie Martin

Veepee declares its support for Dumba while the National Assembly debates the mistreatment of animals

Veepee declares its support for Dumba while the National Assembly debates the mistreatment of animals

Veepee declares its support for Dumba while the National Assembly debates the mistreatment of animals
27.01.2021
France
Veepee declares its support for Dumba while the National Assembly debates the mistreatment of animals
Exploitation for shows

Two whole days of publicity on the screens of the Veepee building, in la Plaine Saint-Denis, opposite the Stade de France: that’s what One Voice has been offered by the company boss who has supported us for years, Jacques-Antoine Granjon. On 27 and 28 January, while the bill on the mistreatment of animals is being discussed in the National Assembly, drivers and pedestrians in la Plaine Saint-Denis will be able to see what circuses are trying to hide: the misery suffered by animals and by Dumba in particular.

Mr Granjon is once again declaring his support for One Voice through the animals that it defends (after Maya and Jon, now it’s Dumba’s turn). The elephant that we recently discovered and whose ordeal, living between a wagon and a makeshift tent in the snowy Gard countryside, we revealed at the beginning of January. On 5 January we submitted an official complaint.

The public kept in the dark about mistreatment

After informing the authorities, we alerted the public. As always happens when the journalists arrive, the trainers came out with their usual spiel and showed them the animal that they were exploiting (paradoxically, offering her a welcome stroll), in full view of everyone. The circus had their opportunity to put their side of the story that day. Just like Jumbo, like Baby, like the ten tigers in a wagon, like the lionesses, like … It is very simple – they are not exceptions but the rule. In an open letter we tried to explain to the mayor of the village why we thought that he was wrong to support the trainers.

The rubbish that the circuses spout in the face of the facts

The reality of animals’ lives in both travelling and permanent circuses can be grasped only when the trainers don’t know they’re being watched! Captivity itself is a problem, but it is made worse by the conditions that captivity means for the animals: they spend their lives confined in wagons or tents, their health is neglected and they are trained to obey.

Independent experts who present scientific evidence to expose Dumba’s suffering

We sent the images taken by the journalists to One Voice’s independent experts on elephants. They raised numerous points that leave no doubt that Dumba is suffering.

Once again their conclusions are irrefutable: holding up her legs is a sign of pain in her feet, as is the general way in which she stands with her feet bunched together under her body, her laboured breathing, a probable hernia… Two of them seriously wonder if she has tuberculosis and strongly recommend that she be tested.

Fanciful interpretations or facts

How can one claim to be an elephant specialist and come out with any old rubbish in complete ignorance of the relevant law and of the animals?

The unprotected stroll was prohibited. Making an elephant sleep in an unheated wagon is prohibited. Keeping her in an enclosure of that size is prohibited. Not treating the injuries to her temples and the pain in her feet is punishable by law…

There has been enough propagation of untruths and fanciful interpretations of the legislation! The Minister of Ecology herself spoke out publicly on Twitter scarcely more than 24 hours after our images of Dumba had been distributed. Tens of thousands of people have already signed our petition for her to be placed in a sanctuary.

While Dumba is trying to relieve the pain in her feet and suffering more and more from loneliness, our MPs and senators are discussing the future of circus animals. The bill does not go far enough. We hope that it will meet the expectations of the French people. We are extremely grateful to Jacques-Antoine Granjon for helping us to speak up for Dumba by displaying two large photos of her on the Veepee building.