The use of wild animals in a travelling circus that visited Stellenbosch recently, sparked controversy amongst local animal welfare organisations. This was according to Keshvi Nair, Public relations officer at the National Council for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), via email correspondence with MatieMedia.
The McLaren Circus was in Stellenbosch over the weekend of 11 March.
Local members of the Stellenbosch Animal Welfare Society (AWSS) believed that animals were kept under poor conditions, claimed Jessica Perrins, general manager at the AWSS.
“We are disappointed that a circus with live animals was approved and welcomed in Stellenbosch,” said Perrins.
“We have a variety of animals; from lions, tigers, camels, snakes, dogs and goats,” said Karl Hidebrandt, public relations spokesperson of the McLaren Circus. PHOTO: Liza-May Pieters
Monitoring animal welfare
McLaren Circus, through its public relations spokesperson Karl Hildebrandt, denied claims that animals were not cared for properly.
“We are really fortunate to have a law that not only protects the wellbeing of all animals, but also a specific law that governs performing animals,” Hildebrandt told MatieMedia. “We also have dedicated staff that care for the animals. They are always monitored and we have vets that come out and advise us accordingly when required.”
The Stellenbosch Municipality approved the event after all legal requirements were met, said Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson for the Stellenbosch Municipality.
“If any organisation or person wanted to stop the event, they needed to bring an application to do so,” Grobbelaar added.
“We don’t believe animals should be subjected to the conditions of circus life. The constant travelling and cramped transport, the small and unnatural temporary housing, forced training and performances,” explained Jessica Perrins, general manager at the Stellenbosch Animal Welfare society (AWSS). PHOTO: Liza-May Pieters
Previous controversies
The same circus had been suspended in previous years following animal welfare concerns, stated Jaco Pieterse, chief inspector of the SPCA.
The SPCA conducted regular inspections to ensure that the McLaren Circus complied with the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 and the Performing Animals Protection Act 24 of 1935, said Pieterse.
McLaren Circus has always allowed the SPCA, and the National Councils of SPCA (NSPCA) to conduct their weekly or bi-weekly inspections, said Hildebrandt.
“As for our animals, they are hand-raised on the circus, ensuring they, from a young age, are accustomed to the environment, and over the course of many years they are slowly trained and taught,” said Karl Hidebrandt, public relations spokesperson of McLaren Circus. This video was taken at the McLaren Circus in Worcester on 6 March 2023. VIDEO: Supplied/Sarah-Jane Naughten
“Without happy animals, we would be unable to keep them healthy and this would negatively affect the support we receive,” said Karl Hidebrandt, public relations spokesperson of the McLaren Circus. PHOTO: Liza-May Pieters