The RSPCA has called on people to boycott a show involving lions and tigers in Bargoed.
An Evening with Lions and Tigers is in the town until November 8 and boasts two African lions, and a number of wild tigers, who perform tricks to the fee-paying public.
The show has been touring South Wales and has attracted protests outside events, including in Bridgend and Swansea.
The RSPCA has called for a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses and claim that “regular transport, cramped and bare temporary housing, forced training and performance” to be cruel.
RSPCA Cymru’s political campaigns manager Martin Fidler Jones said: “Circuses will only continue to use wild animals if the public continue to pay to see them.
“Because of their transient nature, travelling shows like this will never be able to keep wild animals in a way that provides acceptable standards of welfare.
“Placing an animal in surroundings unsuitable for the species can cause serious stress and behavioural problems.
“Since this show has been travelling the country, many people have been in touch who have been surprised that this type of show using wild animals is still allowed to exist in modern Wales.
“We’ve had a fantastic response from all corners of the country with over 7,500 people taking the time to add their name in opposition to this outdated practice.”
But Anthony Beckwith, owner of the An Evening with Lions and Tigers show, claimed the RSPCA were seeking “financial gain”.
He said: “We’ve passed every single inspection we’ve ever had, if we hadn’t we wouldn’t be here now.
“We’ve invited the RSPCA down and they have never come, they have never been interested in checking these animals, but they have an interest in getting publicity.
“They are meant to be an animal welfare charity but this is an ethical issue, which comes more from an animal rights perspective.
“A ban on wild or exotic animals in circuses would just be first step on the ladder for the total animal liberation agenda.”
However, Caerphilly AM Jeff Cuthbert called for a ban after confirming that the Welsh Government are commissioning an independent review into the issue.
Mr Cuthbert said: “I support Welsh Government proposals to look at a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses in Wales and my personal view is that travelling circuses of this kind should be banned.”
Went to Bristol zoo years ago. There was a bunch of dirty, smelly, crusty, unwashed oiks outside, protesting about animals in captivity. I thought them complete idiots and totally missing the point until I had done a circuit of the zoo. I came out in complete agreement with them.
Safari parks are not ideal but do provide the service of homing unwanted animals that can’t be returned to the wild and are big investors in breeding programs.
This effort amounts to little more than a traveling circus and is distasteful.
Indefensible. First to Last.
The life of these animals has been forever blighted by the cretins who promote them for profit, and have encouraged their unatural behaviour, unatural living conditions, and unatural relationship with humans.
I dont care what ` inspections` these people say they have satisfied, and the results of which they promote to justify their continued exploitation of animals, let alone wild animals, so far as I am concerned they should be prosecuted for the damage they have done to these creatures, including the magnificent `Kings of the Jungle` who keep these peoples bank accounts in credit.
I would however, like to see comments on this article, from people who do not hide behind a hidden monica, and who support this public cruelty to animals, any comments in support from those not willing to identify themselves have to be ignored, have the courage and guts to put your real names on the end of what you say and identify yourselves to the people in your communities. Free Speech and all that.
Wtf? Where did that come from you mad bathtub?
*moniker.
No. Monica? draws you like a moth to the flame
You’re an unhappy man. Next time I see you ranting on your doorstep to whomever has the misfortune to pass I might introduce myself to you. Or I might not.
Coward.
Big cats are never suitable animals for public performances, if any animal is. I wonder where it is that circuses obtain examples from these endangered species?
We went to watch the show after sitting on the fence for a while! We loved it so much we went back several times! We heard a load of comments made re the care of these animals and Thomas himself before hand but im greatful i went to watch with my own eyes the bond and trust both the animals have with Thomas and vice versa is unreal! Thomas would quite happily talk while having his back to these animals. The team ask fir as many questions as possible and there is no harm done to these animals and their checked by a vet in every location theyve stayed in the regulation they have to keep to are rigid (as they should be)! Please go and see with ur own eyes what these guys do and not pass judgement without seein the condition of these animals who are physically and mentally motivated and not left in a corner to be stared at like in the zoo!
Banned in England. Why anyone would want to see this unatural behaviour by such magnificent wild animals is beyond belief.
It is a sad reflection on anyone going to these `shows` that they need to see such unatural behaviour forced on any animals.
The Welsh Assembly should follow Englands lead and ban such activity.
England has banned something before Wales, cricky…..somebody in the Welsh Assembly will be spitting feathers about that, the Assembly were too busy on water sprinklers, plastic bags and food hygiene rating signs to bother about the welfare of animals.
why dont the r.s.p.a. look in their own back yard ,killing thousands of animals cos they dont care
The animals look happy enough. The show isn’t banned in England BTW. Get the facts right. Reality is that the same few protesters turn out time after time and the pubic keeps paying ebcause they want to see the animals. They vote with their wallets.
Not for much longer I suspect, not in Britain anyway, and that`s a good start.
it will be a great pity if that is so. Not least because such a decision will have been taken as a result of bullying campaigns as opposed to scientific facts.
There is no greater NATURAL FACT let alone a scientific FACT than Lions and Tigers are magnificent WILD ANIMALS. end of.
To turn them into something else for the `enjoyment` of a few remaining blinkered individuals, and for the profit of just one or two, is inane.