Elephant Beating Exposes Circus Cruelty
June 2009

The vicious beating of an elephant at a circus in Greece has been exposed around the world after a video of the cruelty was posted on YouTube by animal rights campaigners.

The footage, secretly filmed by activists, shows a 40-year-old female Asian elephant being repeatedly struck across the head and body by her trainer using an ankus (a ‘bullhook’, with a long handle and sharp metal hook, used to ‘control’ elephants) The circus is apparently an Italian company that regularly visits Greece.

Animal protection organisations across Greece are now working together to take action and CAPS has offered support. The Minister of Agriculture has already promised to look at introducing a ban on animal circuses.

We will release more details when we can. For now, please contact the Minister of Agriculture, encouraging him to bring in a ban on animal circuses as soon as possible. Send an e-mail to: minister@minagric.gr

WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO

	Please write to your MP and the UK Government, calling for a ban on animal use in circuses - full details here
	Boycott circuses with performing animals
	Become a CAPS supporter - you can help to make a difference
	Write to your local newspaper highlighting what is wrong with circuses - use information from here
	Send a donation to help our campaigns - your contribution is vital