Following the death of Mevy the tigress on Friday November 24th, the association One Voice organizes a public gathering around the circus Bormann Moreno, in the Place Balard, Paris on Saturday December 2nd at 15h.
The public must be aware of all the inherent dangers in the presence of wild animals in circuses. They must also know what it means for a wild animal or even one born in a circus, a life of captivity and homelessness, without ever having a place to take refuge. Because once informed about these wild animals who are transformed into mere objects, people suddenly no longer support shows using animals.
Muriel Arnal, president of One Voice elaborates:
"For a tiger, a natural being, it needs open spaces and to be able to flee from the threat of something. This simple fear and this legitimate need for freedom do not disappear with a life of detention, even after generations. In fleeing, Mevy certainly expressed for the only time in her life, a natural behaviour for a tiger. Animals have nothing to do with caged circus trucks, literally or figuratively. We will not rest as long as this exploitation is allowed to continue."
The question is unanimous among the experts: the European association for Zoos (EAZA), the national order for veterinarians agree that these circus shows and the travelling cannot fulfil the conditions necessary for the well-being of wild animals. However, the authorities persist in ignoring the repeated and substantiated requests from the association.
The circuses with animals are private companies that thrive on the permanent stress they put on the animals, all of this with makeup, glitter and fanfare. Mevy escaped while under the responsibility of the circus. This event put the public in double danger: by the presence of the tigress on the public road and that of a man, who was armed with a shotgun, in the streets of Paris and at the same time as the rush hour. Also, in this area there is a hospital, a tram and an RER station.
At
a time when 22 countries in the world prohibit circuses with animals,
including 10 in Europe, and 68 municipalities in France; where the
population is largely in the majority to no longer endorse this type
of leisure activity, the French public authorities cannot remain
blind and deaf any longer.
One Voice asks the Paris Police Prefect Michel Delpuech not to allow circuses with animals into the capital and to Nicolas Hulot, Minister of Ecological Transition and Solidarity, to ban the exploitation of animals in circuses.
All the documents mentioned in this press release are available on request.
Press contacts: For further information and interview requests: presse@one-voice.fr or 06 43 26 78 80.
