Petition | South Africa, it’s time to put an end to the McLaren Circus for good!

It’s 2019 and quite frankly the fact that entertainment-based institutions that enslave animals for profit – like zoos, circuses and animal tourism outlets- still exist is disheartening.

One establishment that is as redundant as they come is the McLarens Circus which travels across the country keeping wild animals such as lions, tigers, camels and alligators encaged and subjecting them to rigorous training.

Thanks to misinformed followers who keep supporting them, the circus has managed to continue operating despite global cues from countries such as Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Singapore, Israel and Mexico, all of whom have banned the use of wild animals in circuses while countries such as the Netherlands and Germany have partial bans and France, who are currently in the process of completely banning the use of wild animals in circuses.

The McLaren clan were back in the local news last week when three protests were held outside their camp in Edenvale, Johannesburg which sparked a new online petition that has been gaining traction. This is not the first petition of its kind as South African animal lovers and rights activists have been calling for an end to The McLaren Circus for years.

“Mclaren circus uses animals such as lions, snakes, tigers, camels and many more,” wrote Kaylee Oberholster who created the latest petition. “These animals should not be used as entertainment and these animals deserve to have a better life and be free from that horrible business. The animals deserve to be respected and to be free to live in the wild instead of cages for people’s entertainment. THIS NEEDS TO STOP.”

And we agree. Whether or not these animals are fed, groomed or even loved is beside the point – the fact remains that taking a wild creature against its will and subjecting it to the most unnatural way of living is not okay. It should not be supported and encouraged.

If you agree, we strongly encourage you to sign the petition RIGHT HERE, to help put an end to this sort of inhumane entertainment – a circus and can be magnificent without animals, just take a look at the very best in the world – Cirque Du Soleil!

Read more on the latest local news right here.