Circus Suffering Video
July 2002 / July 2004

We are delighted to report that Wendy Turner Webster, presenter of Channel 4's Pet Rescue has, quite literally, added her voice to the CAPS campaign to end the use of animals in circuses. Wendy has provided the narration for the new CAPS video, 'Circus Suffering', a 5 minute preview of which is now available online.

Click on any link below to watch a sample 5 minute clip of 'Circus Suffering'

The full circus video is 12 minutes long and begins with a historical perspective. Over scratchy looking sepia tone film footage, we hear:

"What is regarded as the 'traditional circus' first appeared in 18th century London with performing horses and people. As new worlds were explored during the next century, all manner of animals were snatched from the wild to be paraded in chains and small cages before an amazed public. But, after a century that has seen man on the moon, mass media, global travel becoming commonplace, and an explosion in the understanding of wildlife, it is hard to believe that wretched animals are still in chains and living on the backs of lorries to amuse us."

Our images become colour and the viewer realises they are not watching something that was filmed 100 years ago, but that is taking place right now.

To make the film, CAPS filmed extensively in circuses throughout Europe, capturing the confinement, deprivation, and violence in these animals' lives.

We take a day in the life of a circus animal and contrast it with that of their wild counterparts. Thus whilst the circus elephants awake, chained by the legs on urine and excrement soaked boards, their wild relatives have been on the move for hours, foraging as a large family group and have already travelled miles. A troop of wild baboons groom each other and moves through the trees in search of succulent leaves in the early afternoon African sun. Meanwhile at a Portuguese circus, the baboons sit bored and listless in a cramped beastwagon, before they are wrenched out and chained to the backs of ponies for a performance.

This is an incredibly important issue for anyone who cares about captive animals. As long as bears, lions, tigers and elephants tour the country in tiny cages on lorries or in chains, what hope is there for any significant change in the treatment of animals in zoos and safari parks. Animal circuses have declined massively in recent years in the UK - now they must be banned.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

	Please order a copy of the DVD or video (UK only) and ensure it is viewed as widely as possible.
	Send a copy of the DVD or video to your MP and ask that they support any moves to outlaw animal circuses.
	Become a CAPS supporter - you can help to make a difference.
	Send a DVD or video to your MEP and call for Europe-wide action.
	When the animal circus comes to town, ensure there is opposition in the local media (e.g. letters column, or push for a news story) and that local businesses do not display posters. Report any fly posting to your local authority. Distribute our leaflets.
	Send a donation to help our campaigns - your contribution is vital.