“Thirteen million spectators per year in circuses with animals, one million for the contemporary circus. Yet they want to put us out of work. "
This is the slogan inscribed on a large white cloth banner, held by two young demonstrators.
They are part of the gathering of about fifty circus artists who, this Tuesday afternoon, expressed their dissatisfaction not far from the Ministry of Ecological Transition in Paris.
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The reason for their anger is simple: a week ago, their supervisory minister, Barbara Pompili, announced the end of traveling circuses with wild animals within five years.
"Barely arrived at the responsibilities, Barbara Pompili wants to prohibit us from keeping our animals and from working with them in an itinerant way,
regrets Frédéric Edelstein, French tamer of wild animals and director of the Pinder circus.
This will weaken economically a lot of families who live from this profession without alternative solutions.
In addition, bringing our animals with whom we live every day in these sanctuaries managed by associations which do not know them would put them in danger of death.
We will not let it go, ”
he warns.
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Beyond this decision, it is above all the lack of consultation that shocks circus artists.
“We are for a republican dialogue.
The minister ended up receiving us because we had made the forcing with Matignon,
underlines for his part William Kerwich, president of the Syndicate of the capacities of the circus and spectacle animals.
She did not even take into account our proposals to improve the well-being of our animals.
She behaved as an activist in favor of animal associations and not as a government official who must listen to all parties involved. "
Especially since this political choice endangers the future of 3,000 artists who have the professional capacity to perform with wild animals in circuses and remains unclear about the future of their 800 animals, including 500 wild animals.
This concerns both large and small circuses.
Mixed reactions
“I experienced the government announcements as an attack
, deplores for her part Joella, director of the family circus Achille Zavatta, member of the association of family circuses.
We are discriminated against and our right to work is violated.
In some cities, mayors refuse circuses with wild animals because they are harassed by animalist associations, which are very small but very active.
Our parents taught us to give our whole heart in our profession and to love our animals, contrary to what some people think. ”
Is it more cruel to have a large dog in captivity in Paris in an apartment than lions in a circus?
I don't know how to answer
Anne, 50-year-old Parisian.
This ban goes even beyond circuses.
"I also appear in commercials, such as the one very well known for a brand of leather sofas, or in successful films
," says Hans Petersen, owner and breeder of sea lions and penguins in the Loir-et-Cher.
My job is suspended.
However, the prefectural authorization as well as my certificate of capacity allowing it to be exercised are permanent. ”
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Circuses and dolphinariums: wild animals and dolphins banned from shows
In the street, the reactions of passers-by are mixed.
"
I signed the petition to stop circuses with animals, but I tell myself, seeing these people, that this may not be the right time for this kind of decision"
, seems to regret Anne, Parisian fifties.
For his part, Marc, in his forties, asks himself questions:
"Is it more cruel to have a large dog in captivity in Paris in an apartment than lions in a circus?"
I don't know how to answer. ”
On the other hand, there are fans of the circus with animals.
“I'm from the generation where when we had worked well at school, we had circus tickets as a reward,”
recalls Chantal, retired from the AP-HP.
Today, I am taking my granddaughters to the menagerie. ”
“I cannot imagine a circus without wild animals,
adds Hélène, employed in the private sector.
We had better go after people who mistreat their pets rather than them, because they are governed by the law. ”
At the beginning of the afternoon, a delegation of circus artists was finally received at the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
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