41
CHRISTMAS
Christmas
brings last
ever animal
circus to Malta
MALTA'S last ever animal circus
will take place at the Manoel Island
sports ground from 13 December
till the 5 January 2014, bringing to
an end the circuses that have become ever more controversial in the
last year.
The Viviana Orfei circus is being
brought to Malta by businessman
Silvio Zammit, whose last circus
in Naxxar was refused an extended
permit due to siting issues.
Zammit said the circus will include the usual acts of magic, trapeze artists, tight-rope walkers,
acrobats, and a wide of array of
animals including horses, hippos,
ponies, ostriches, camels, zebras,
llamas, and emus.
Malta will formally ban animal
circus, after year of repeated protests by animal welfare groups at the
gates of circuses. Earlier this year, a
consultation process was launched
on animal circus shows.
Zammit, who has brought circuses
to Malta for the past 15 years, said
that the Italian circus owners have
respected their animals for generations, and that the animals were
born in captivity.
The circus – whose entrance prices start at €5 and €10, will host two
show at 5:30pm and 7:30pm, as well
as a matinee at 3:30pm from Boxing
Day onwards.
"It's the last opportunity for people to see an animal circus, which
is why we are bringing to Malta one
of the best European circuses. The
animals are part of this family of
circus artists, and are taken good
care of much as we take good care of
our own pets. We condemn animal
cruelty in any way possible," Zammit said.
maltatoday,
SUNDAY, 22 DECEMBER 2013
