Anne - the last elephant in a British circus
Updated July 2007: Anne is still being transported around Britain to be used as a photo-prop with the circus and CAPS has continued to highlight her situation, and that of all other animals in circuses, on a weekly basis, encouraging people to avoid all animal circuses. If you would like to help us end animal circuses, please contact us. Also see - So much for ‘retirement’ (May 2007) Circus elephant is not retired says CAPS. Original article from 2005 Over the past few weeks, CAPS has been contacted by many people concerning the plight of Anne, the elephant with the Bobby Roberts Circus whose story has been highlighted by the national press. Anne is the last elephant touring with a British circus. She is 52-years-old and has been with the circus since being taken from the forests of Sri Lanka at the age of 5-years. Until 2001 Anne at least had the company of other elephants, but has been alone since her companions, Beverley and Janie, died. The Born Free Foundation has launched a campaign to rescue Anne, in conjunction with the Sunday Mirror. CAPS was founded in 1957 with the main aim of campaigning to end the use of animals in circuses. Since then the number of animal circuses has declined dramatically, with just 7 British circuses using animals this year. Over 200 local authorities have banned animal circuses from council-owned land, and the public are generally aware of the impoverished conditions and cruel training methods that animals in circuses are forced to endure. Throughout our 48 years, CAPS has exposed the cruelty of animal circuses. In relation to Bobby Roberts Circus, we have exposed:
CAPS has successfully encouraged companies and councils to withdraw support from Bobby Roberts Circus: we have persuaded businesses as diverse as radio stations and supermarkets not to be involved in stunts using Anne; persuaded shop keepers to remove posters advertising the circus; encouraged local politicians such as Lord Mayors not to ride on Anne in the circus. When Anne was used as a photo-prop at a fun fair in 2003, CAPS investigators highlighted her appalling surroundings and the risk to her own welfare and the health and safety of the public. The local council took immediate action in insisting the elephant be removed from the site. On a weekly basis CAPS deals with councils across Britain, encouraging them to take action against animal circuses in their region and supporting bans on animal circuses from using council land. Each week we issue press releases, encouraging the public to boycott a particular animal circus and we send out free campaign materials and free information packs. We investigate and monitor animal circuses. This year we carried out spot checks on Bobby Roberts Circus at several different venues before the national media took interest in Anne. Only once did we see Anne have access to an outside exercise area. On all other occasions she was confined to her small enclosure in a tent, despite the venues all having plenty of space for her to exercise. The only time we saw Anne have the opportunity to be outside was once the circus became aware of the national media interest in her plight. Members of the public contacted CAPS earlier this year, distressed at Anne's condition, claiming she could hardly stand or walk yet was still being dragged out during the circus show so that people could have their photo taken with her (for a fee of £4). After our investigators obtained video footage of Anne having difficulty walking, and stumbling, we asked leading vets for their comments. They all agreed her arthritis appeared to be causing serious health problems and that she should not be transported each week with the circus. We have brought this evidence to the attention of the relevant authorities. CAPS campaign against the use of all animals - wild and domestic - in circuses. Domestic animals suffer the same range of problems as wild animals - constant transportation (usually each week, confined for hours to lorries), inadequate temporary housing and dubious training methods. Our website has detailed information on the cruelties of all animal circuses. We agree that Anne should not have to endure 'life' in a circus, and that she should be retired to a suitable sanctuary where she can have the company of other elephants and the enrichment she so much deserves. But we should not forget that there are around 200 animals still used in British circuses. Their story may not be as headline-grabbing as Anne's, but they have as much right to a life away from the circus suffering.
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