McLaren defends circus practices amid protests

"MY whole objective of speaking to the media is not to silence the animal activists, they have a purpose in society, all we are trying to show is our side of the story to the public."

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

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 once again drawn criticism from animal rights activists.

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 he also owned a smallholding and zoo, where animals “retired” once they were no longer part of the circus.

Beauty Without Cruelty (BWC) is planning a protest, calling for a ban on the use of wild animals in performances.

They said the McLaren Circus features wild and domestic animals including white lions, Bengal tigers, camels, llamas, ponies, poodles, and snakes used for performance under unnatural, stressful, and confining conditions.

“These animals are subjected to constant transportations, 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 also said they were no longer part of the circus.

Beauty Without Cruelty (BWC) is planning a protest, calling for a ban on the use of wild animals in performances.