Animal circuses in Ireland
Circuses in the Republic of Ireland
The number of circuses in Ireland using animals fluctuates annually and some change their names regularly. In 2006, the following Irish-based circuses were all on tour:
- Tom Duffy’s Circus
- Fossett’s Circus
- Circus Gerbola
- Circus Hoffenburg
- Royal Russian Circus
- Circus Sydney
- Circus Vegas
Most of these circuses also visit Northern Ireland at some point during the circus season, which spans most of the year.
Number of animals in all Irish circuses in 2006*
These circuses have a total of 102 animals -
43 of wild / exotic species, 59 of domestic species
| Wild / exotic animals: | Domestic animals: | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Alligators | 4 | Dogs | 19 |
| Camels | 7 | Donkeys | 2 |
| Elephants: Asian | 3 | Horses and ponies | 38 |
| Elephants: African | 3 | ||
| Giraffe | 1 | ||
| Hippopotamus | 1 | ||
| Llamas | 10 | ||
| Ostrich | 1 | ||
| Rhinoceros | 1 | ||
| Snakes | 4 | ||
| Tigers | 4 | ||
| Wallabies | 4 |
*Figures listed were compiled during visits to Irish circuses in July 2006. In August 2006, two of the African elephants were sent back to Germany (see elephants)
On several occasions in 2006, investigators from the Captive Animals’ Protection Society (CAPS) visited five circuses:
- Tom Duffy’s Circus
- Fossett’s Circus
- Royal Russian Circus
- Circus Sydney
- Circus Vegas
A veterinary surgeon
experienced in animal behaviour, Samantha Lindley, also visited three of the circuses in July 2006.
This report is a summary of the findings of the CAPS team on the performances, housing and treatment of animals in Irish circuses.
Quotes listed throughout this report are from reports compiled by vet Samantha Lindley.
Some of the key findings of the CAPS study:
- Some of the animals are imported from across Europe, facing gruelling journeys of up to 1,000 miles. In a few cases, the animals are transported back to their source country at the end of ten months of touring in Ireland, only to be brought back to Ireland a few months later.
- The touring season often lasts ten consecutive months, during which time the circus may travel the whole of Ireland (Republic and North), sometimes performing at two venues in the space of a week. In addition to being on the road for most of the year, the animals are not usually able to become accustomed to some of the sites that they visit.
- Evidence obtained by CAPS has revealed that many animals used in Irish circuses are suffering physical and behavioural welfare problems as a direct result of their captivity and use in the circus.
- A significant number of animals in circuses in Ireland live restricted lives, with temporary and inadequate accommodation, constant transportation and unnatural social groups.
- CAPS’ research has found that few attempts are made to provide suitable environmental enrichment for the animals.
- There is no legislation in Ireland specific to the use of animals in circuses and the law is inadequate to protect the animals used in circuses.
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