MEDIA STATEMENT
Following an article in the Sunday Times of 26 July 2009, entitled ‘Boswell’s show a real circus’, the National Council of
SPCAs (N
SPCA) responds as follows.
Ms Brenda Santon, Manager of the NSPCA Wildlife Unit, was contacted by the reporter from the Sunday Times and provided comment to the questions put to her.
In the printed article, however, the NSPCA was only quoted as having said that ‘the Council could only act if it witnessed acts of cruelty’.
Perhaps this one-lined comment was a result of shortage of space in the newspaper but the comment does not fully reflect the NSPCA’s position on the subject.
The NSPCA is totally opposed to exhibitions or presentations of wild animals in circuses and travelling menageries. Objections to circuses are based on the fact that these animals should not be there at all. The NSPCA firmly believes that wild animals belong in the wild and our concern is for
all animals. However, as unacceptable as people may find it to have wild animals in circuses, it is within the law.
The NSPCA believes that an animal’s welfare should be considered in terms of the five freedoms
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freedom from hunger and thirst
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freedom from discomfort
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freedom from pain, injury and disease
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freedom to express normal behaviour
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freedom from fear and distress
The NSPCA does not support the chaining of elephants and is opposed to any handling methods which may cause pain and suffering. In terms of the Animals Protection Act, Section 2(1)(b) – any person who
“confines, chains, tethers or secures any animal unnecessarily or under such condition or in such a manner or position as to cause that animal unnecessary suffering or in any place which affords inadequate space, ventilation, light, protection or shelter from heat, cold or weather;”
is guilty of an offence.
In terms of the Animals Protection Act, ‘necessary’ chaining (in terms the animal’s welfare and public safety) needs to be considered, much the same as the manner and reasons for chaining dogs.
When inspections are conducted by SPCA Inspectors around the country, appropriate action is taken in terms of the Animals Protection Act No. 71 of 1962 when contraventions are encountered.
All facilities, including circuses, are inspected on a regular basis, and appropriate action is taken when contraventions are found.
The NSPCA has repeatedly opposed the keeping of wild animals in captivity at various facilities around the country. It has written to every magistrate and authority authorised to issue permits requesting that it be permitted to make representations prior to the issuing of any permits, but the existing regulations do not require the permitting authorities to comply with its request. It remains a serious concern that authorities do not sufficiently concern themselves with the welfare of animals when these permits are issued. The NSPCA therefore applauds Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Services for the stance it is has taken in implementing permitting policies which are humane and protect the welfare of individual animals.
We continue to address this issue with nature conservation officials in the other 8 provinces, stressing that animal welfare considerations need to be implemented into permitting conditions as a matter of course.
The NSPCA has been an active participant in the discussions surrounding the Norms and Standards for the Management of Elephants in South Africa, in terms of the National Environmental Management : Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act 10 of 2004) which came into effect on 1 May 2008. More recently, welfare input has been provided in respect of the Minimum Standards for Captive Elephants, which have not yet been finalised.
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