An
"unfair"
decision
,
"lies"
, or even a
"disaster"
: this is, in essence, the reaction of representatives of the circus world and animal parks, this Tuesday, to the announcements of the Minister of Ecological Transition Barbara Pompili.
In a press conference, the minister announced a series of measures
"in favor of improving the well-being of captive wildlife"
, including "
the progressive end of wildlife in traveling circuses"
and
"The end of the presence of orcas and dolphins in unsuitable dolphinariums"
.
Already weakened in recent years by a drop in public attendance, the traveling circus world is particularly upset and worried by these new measures.
Read also: The Arlette Gruss circus confined to the Sarthe
Doctor Alain Frère, founder of the Monte-Carlo circus festival, recognized circus expert and LR mayor of Tourrette-Levens for nearly 40 years, does not hide his anger vis-à-vis animal associations which, according to him, hide behind these government announcements.
“Our trend is the traditional circus, with the presence of wild animals.
You may or may not like it, but telling lies is unacceptable.
The animals at the circus are treated well in the vast majority of cases! ”
.
"At the Arlette Gruss circus, all the animals have a health record, with vaccines, the names of veterinarians in each city"
, abounds Christian Hamel, President of the Circus Club and a great specialist in circus arts.
Telling lies is unacceptable.
Animals in the circus are treated well in the vast majority of cases!
Alain Frère, founder of the Monte-Carlo circus festival
An ideological fight?
"These announcements have an eminently political character"
, criticizes Christian Hamel.
He thus denounces the existence of a
powerful
"lobby
", of
"frenzied animalists who are the headquarters of the various ministries, assail the town hall of Paris, the ministries and other decision-makers with emails and interventions"
.
According to him,
"the crusade led by these NGOs does not target only circuses, their desire is to suppress zoos, but also equestrian sports, even pets
".
Alain Frère regrets that this
"ideological"
fight
is unequal, the Circassians, without financial capacity, nor communication expertise, not having
"the means to defend themselves"
, in the face of anti-species associations lapped in virulent communications campaigns.
Read also: End of wild animals in circuses: Paris is advancing, the Élysée is temporizing
"Come and see when the cage is opened in the morning how the beasts come to lick their trainer!" There is a real bond between them
,
”
insists Alain Frère, who also emphasizes that the presence of wild animals in circuses is already regulated in France.
Indeed, a decree published on March 18, 2011 sets very precisely the conditions of stay, maintenance and education of these animals.
“For example, we have to have a relaxation cage so that the animals can rest and move around.
It is enough to apply the law, no need to go so far as to prohibit! ”
, deplores this great collector of circus arts.
To read also: SOS Dolphins in danger
The crusade led by these NGOs is not only targeting circuses, their desire is to suppress zoos, but also equestrian sports, even pets.
Christian Hamel, President of the Club du Cirque.
On the side of animal parks targeted by the progressive ban on killer whales and dolphins, we also deplore the trial of intent in animal abuse.
The Managing Director of Marineland Pascal Picot thus denounces to AFP a decision
"unjust and unjustified because our profession is animal welfare, education, research and conservation (...).
We do not understand this decision ”.
Planète Sauvage, a vast animal park located near Nantes, which also presents dolphins to the public in its “marine city”, also recalls in a press release that its priority
“has always been, remains and will remain to ensure the well- be animals ”.
"We expect the authorities to set the framework for consultation that will take into account the opinion of all the experts and people concerned,"
adds the animal park soberly.
The end of a tradition and a culture?
Today, also recalls Christian Hamel, the species present in circuses reproduce in captivity and are no longer collected in the natural environment.
However, currently, wild animals are more threatened in the natural environment (poaching, safaris, etc.) than in circuses, where they are treated.
“The varieties of lions and white tigers no longer exist in freedom, they are varieties that were born in captivity and that we only see today in circuses and zoos.
If we release them, they will no longer be adapted to this environment and will die! ”
, adds Alain Frère.
Read also: Will animal rights activists have the skin of the circus?
At the Arlette Gruss circus, we are already preparing with resignation the transition towards the end of the presence of wild animals.
The new show, presented after six months of confinement, now presents so-called domestic animals: dromedaries, horses, goats.
“But that raises the question: will the public stay there?
»
, Says Rémy Becuwe, communications director of the Arlette Gruss circus.
"Do we want the circus to be a theater, or for it to remain a circus?"
When the animals come on the scene, we can hear the children's 'wow' ... ”
, he adds.
Do we want the circus to be a theater, or for it to remain a circus?
When the animals come on stage, we can hear the children's 'wow'
Rémy Becuwe, communication director of the Arlette Gruss circus.
"By banning wild animals at the circus, we deprive the circus of its raison d'être: it is the only live show where man and animal come together in an artistic creation"
, adds Christian Hamel, worried about
" the disappearance of a culture, a tradition and a know-how. "
The European Parliament, in October 2005, had nevertheless asked member countries to promote the circus as an element of national culture, he underlines.
A financial "disaster"
Of course, circus directors and wildlife park managers are equally concerned about the financial repercussions of such measures.
“We have the example of Cirque du Soleil, with acts without animals, but which sees its attendance drop from year to year.
Modern, animal-free companies survive only on public subsidies.
But Pinder, Arlette Gruss, and family circuses only have the spectators' money
,
”
Christian Hamel is alarmed.
Read also: How the circus reinvents itself without animals
The Arlette Gruss circus is also preparing for its transition by replacing animals with innovative attractions, involving technologies: in addition to motorcycle acts, attractions with drones or "laser shows".
“We have 300,000 spectators a year, 140 employees, it works.
But I am thinking of my colleagues from the smaller circuses, who have less financial capacity to bounce back, ”
deplores Rémy Becuwe, who calls above all for a real delay for the circuses to organize their transition.
At the last consultation meeting, Minister Barbara Pompili reportedly mentioned a six-year deadline.
The managing director of Marineland, for his part, considers
the envelope of eight million euros
"ridiculous"
announced to help affected companies.
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