A Sad Blog Post

22:48

This Post is a bit of a downer, but its something I feel VERY strongly about.

In 2014 I travelled to Moscow and St Petersburg in Russia, and I literally had the best, most emotionally draining and exciting trip of my life. I went to the Kremlin, St Basils, Catherine's Palace and many more beautiful and historically significant landmarks. I would say I loved every moment. But that would be a lie.

On the second day of my holiday something happened that changed my life forever. Now I know this may sound dramatic, but hopefully whoever is reading this will surely understand.

We were told, prior to the trip, that we would be attending the Moscow Circus. My first initial question, that many of us had, was 'will there be animals?' to which the response was 'no no no of course not'. So of course we believed the tour company, why would they lie? why would they tell their clients one thing if they meant another?

So, by the second day we were all buzzing. We went around Moscow and stopped off at various Russian supermarkets and newsagents to buy chocolate and sweets and drinks for the circus! The bus was full of excitement. Then, just before we jumped off the bus at the circus arena (yes an arena, the place was huge!) our tour guide said 'there will be some domestic animals (cats, dogs etc) in the circus but they are treated like pets and do tricks that they would perform in competitions like crufts'. Naturally we believed the tour guide, 'oh well if they are pets, then that's fine' we assured ourselves.

We entered the arena and there was an instant buzz. They place was jam packed, and this was a show that is on every night, sometimes twice a day, so we knew (or thought) we were in for a treat. As the lights dimmed, trapeze artists and dancers filled the ring and it was beautiful. Their performance was spectacular and I really enjoyed every second. Long segments of acting, clowns and ringmasters followed, and we were all very much enjoying the show. But soon it became apparent that they were preparing animals to be presented. First cats, monkeys and dogs. This followed with bigger animals like horses. It was uncomfortable viewing but we stayed under the instruction of our tour guide and teachers. At first it was just little tricks, which seemed harmless. But as it progressed we witnessed tiny kittens being pushed off poles from great heights. It was shocking, but what was more shocking was the reaction of the audience members. They shouted and laughed and cheered with enjoyment.

At the first of many intervals, we asked our teachers if we could leave, as me and my friend were very uncomfortable and on the verge of tears. They said that there was to be more amazing performance art and that they couldn't imagine there being any more animal performances, so regrettably we stayed.

The second part started and the teachers were right. The dancers returned and were amazing, but my mind was not focused on the dancers, but still on the animals. Then the animals returned, and the only way I can describe what I witnessed is by saying that it was horrific. A bear, like a real life bear, emerged into the ring. It did not perform any tricks (apart from standing on its 2 back legs) and instead the 'show' was the bear being chased around the ring again and again by a man in a bear suit. YES A BEAR SUIT. It was traumatising. It was at that moment that both myself, my friend, a male student and two other females, rushed out of the arena. We were in tears. Floods of tears. The shock was overwhelming and unexpected. I would say I am an animal lover, but I had never felt that way before. Very soon after we left the arena the rest of my class came running out too. They were clearly emotional and when we asked them what happened they simply replied 'there was elephants'. Oh.

Photo: Care2

After that, I researched the circus (it's either the Bolshoi or the Nikulin) and learnt some more about it. It turns out we missed the 'best' part. Lions and tigers (and bears oh my) apparently followed, and in some performances there are apparently performing Llamas, water Buffalo(?!?) and Polar Bears. I mean really? The circuses are not independent organisations, instead they are STATE RUN. Yes, the government, owns these circuses. This is of course part of the 'Soviet culture' and was the excuse used by our tour guide when she attempted to explain why to her, and the Russian audience, there was nothing wrong with performing animals.

Photo: Moscow Circus via borderlesstravels.com

This is not just a Russian problem. In fact, it happens across the world in zoo's, animal enclosures and circuses. One thing I found extremely surprising when researching this was that wild animal performances are not illegal in England and Wales. The unnatural environment and abuse that many of these animals are subject to are outrageous and disgusting. The animals can never be fully fulfilled or natural if they are in a circus and performance based environment. But we can change that. And we must change that.

PETA have called for Andrea Leadsom, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to outlaw animal performances in England and Wales. All you have to do is sign this form. Casey Affleck also worked with PETA to narrate the above video regarding animal abuse in circuses. But pre warning the images in the video are distressing.

There are a few articles that are worth a read about animal abuse in circuses if you are interested. If not, I hope you sign the petition, to give these animals the rights they deserve.

Moscow International Circus bans animal performances - PETA