“My whole objective of talking to the media is not to silence the animal activists, they have a purpose in society, all we are trying to show our side of the story to the public, ” he said.
These are the words of David McLaren, the owner of McLaren Circus, which is currently running shows in Milnerton as part of their annual Western Cape and South African tour. The circus has drawn criticism from animal rights activists, who are calling for a ban on using wild animals in performances.
This week, McLaren invited the Cape Argus behind the scenes to see how animals were kept.
On-site, the circus has 35 staff members and a variety of animals including eight poodles, two Llamas, four camels, four tigers and three lions. McLaren said 'retired' animals were sent to his farm and zoo.
Animal rights group Beauty Without Cruelty (BWC) has planned a protest against the circus, saying its use of wild animals and domestic lions including lions and tigers, subjects them to unnatural and stressful conditions.
"These animals are subjected to, constant transportation, small cages and confinement, loud music, bright lights, and disorientation and training that often involves coercion and lack of natural environments and stimulation," they said.
CapeNature confirmed that McLaren holds all necessary permits and that routine checks were done regularly.
McLaren defended the circus's practices, saying the animals were born in captivity and could not be released into the wild. Surrounded by his eight poodles, McLaren said his dream began 20 years ago with humble beginnings and hard work.
“Having animals here does not make me a non-animal lover, maybe we see animals in a different way, in a sense that I believe in animal welfare and I do not agree with animal rights because the narrative that a chicken and a dog and a horse has the exact same rights as a child,” he detailed.
“The needs of an animal are not as complex as that of a child, I believe in welfare, the animals are part of our family here.
“Animals need to be cared for, they need veterinary care, they need stimulation and they need to be housed safely, in an enclosure that cares for them.”
He also stated that his animals, which were kept in confinement were given space to roam and exercise outside of their cages, much like what is seen in parks and zoos, which he added did not receive any backlash from activists.
“The narrative that they are just in these cages and that is it and people think camels are sitting here being chained down and they think the lions are boxed the whole day, the picture that is being painted, when you take a tour with me, you will see something else. “We have a bond with our animals.
"If activists want to change the law, they should take their fight to Parliament," he said.
The team was taken to the ring where McLaren said the whip used was not a form of punishment and was used to train and guide the animals.
This year, the protest titled: “End the Circus of Cruelty: BWC Condemns McLaren Circus's Return to Cape Town, LQBTQI+ Voices Speak Out”
BWC chairperson Toni Brockhoven said: ‘“The animals are kept in cages, especially the wildlife. The circus is not a natural space for wild animals. The animals have no room to run, and because they are constantly travelling, they don’t get to establish their own home territory, which all animals would do.
“The circus keeps saying the lions and tigers are only in the show for three or four minutes of a two-hour-long performance if that is the case, you don’t need to use them at all.”
They said this year, McLaren Circus was partnering with the PWR Project, a non-profit headed by Karl Hildebrandt (also the PR spokesperson for the circus).
“While PWR does vital work in feeding and supporting queer youth, we must be clear: Compassion cannot be selective. We cannot liberate one group while harming another,” they added.
“This partnership has sparked major concern within the LGBTQI+ community, leading to several public responses.”
McLaren confirmed the partnership with PWR.
Belinda Abraham of the SPCA said: “ The SPCA stands opposed to the use of wild animals in circuses but unfortunately it is not illegal unless contraventions of the Animals Protection Act No.71 of 1962 or the Performing Animals Protection Act are apparent at the time of an SPCA Inspection."
Cape Argus