Protestors Urge Audiences to Shun the Wild Animal Circus

Animal Defenders International (ADI) is calling on the Philadelphia community to stay away from the Garden Brothers Circus and avoid supporting an industry that involves cruelty and suffering to animals.

Studies of the use of wild animals in traveling circuses show that circuses cannot meet the physical or behavioral needs of wild animals. Animals are confined in small spaces, deprived of physical and social needs, spending excessive amounts of time shut in transporters. These animals are often seen behaving abnormally—rocking, swaying, and pacing, all indicating that they are in distress and not coping with their environment. ADI’s video evidence has shown how these animals are forced to perform tricks through physical violence, fear, and intimidation.

“Wild animals belong in the wild, not chained and confined, forced to perform, deprived of all that is natural to them. These inhumane, unsafe acts perpetuate misconceptions, which exacerbates wildlife trafficking,” said Christina Scaringe, ADI General Counsel.

ADI is calling on supporters to warn audiences of the behind-the-scenes suffering of animals in traveling circuses while the Garden Brothers Circus is in Philadelphia.

WHAT: Garden Brothers Circus protest

WHEN: Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 4:00pm

WHERE: Philadelphia Mills, 1455 Franklin Mill Circle, Philadelphia, PA 19154

Local campaigners with ADI will be handing out leaflets, informing audiences about the reality of circuses, and telling people that the animal circus is no longer acceptable in a modern, advanced society. Circus owners are urged to leave animals out of future productions.

Local ADI volunteer representative Ellen Lehman said: “When families find out about the routine abuses that go on behind the scenes at circuses, they will be shocked and will not want to expose their children to this cruelty.”