Fred - rescued at last!
The Captive Animals' Protection Society welcomes the news that Fred, a 12-year old American Brown Bear kept for the past decade by a British circus, has been re-homed to the Bear With Us sanctuary in Canada thanks to the World Society for the Protection of Animals. CAPS campaigned to rescue Fred for three years leading up to the closure of the circus in 2001. He had been with the circus most of his life and was made to perform tricks such as riding a scooter, playing on a slide and balancing on a barrel. When the circus closed down Fred was kept in an enclosure at the home of the circus' owner, Jeffrey Mackie until WSPA were asked to find a new home. In a statement to the press CAPS said: "We are delighted that Fred has finally been rescued and has gone to a specialised sanctuary where he will be able to explore a more natural environment and mix with other bears. Fred will finally be able to be a bear - for the first time in his life. He is still young, and we wish him a happy and enjoyable future." CAPS have again called upon the government to ban the use of all animals in circuses, saying "There are many more animals in the position Fred was in and it's now time to help them too." Despite comments in the press, Fred was not the last bear in a British circus. There is still one bear kept by Jolly's Circus as well as other bears kept for use in films and advertising. HOW YOU CAN HELP
Photographs © Captive Animals Protection Society |
