Mexican circuses struggle to adapt after wild animal ban comes into effect

A law banning the use of wild animals from circuses in Mexico came into effect on Wednesday, July 8 leaving circuses scrambling to get rid of the animals in order to avoid hefty fines by authorities.

On Monday, July 6) tigers gave their last performance at the Cedeno brothers circus in Nezahualcoyotl, in the State of Mexico, a populous region that borders much of the capital.

The circus owner and president of the national association of circus owners and artists, Armando Cedeno, said the ban is a death sentence for circuses.

Although the outlook does not look very encouraging, Cedeno says his circus will seek to relaunch its show with no-animal acts, hoping to please the audience and will seek legal remedies to reverse this law they consider unjust.

"The main attraction at a circus have always been the animals and a circus without animals is not a circus. Unfortunately, we'll have to adapt to do shows without animals hoping people accept this and go to the circus because otherwise that will be the end of traditional circuses in Mexico," Cedeno said adding the ban was accompanied by a smear campaign resulting in dwindling audience numbers.

Cedeno, said the ban has forced 70 circuses to close, affecting the livelihoods of some 2,000 families who lost their jobs and have seen their salaries dwindle.

Cedeno also said circuses have lost money from having to nearly give away the animals after having invested thousands of dollars to buy them and pay for their upkeep.

"Our time is limited to try to find shelters for the animals we are left with. A lot have been given away, many were sold and others were relocated as a loan, looking for a way to not have them in the circus," Cedeno said.

Many were given to private owners and others were given away to zoos, who at first hesitated taking them in due to high maintenance costs.

The dissenting circus owners have repeatedly complained the law has not been accompanied by a programme to assist and shelter all animals that can no longer live and work in circuses. However, the government insists it is in a position to care for animals leaving the circus.

The Communal Living Biopark Pachuca is the first refuge of its kind in Mexico to rescue, rehabilitate and relocate exotic animals. Since 2013 more than 30 animals with varying degrees of malnutrition or physical harm, have been taken to this place for medical care and behavioural rehabilitation. They are then taken to other zoos, nature reserves or wildlife refuges abroad.

Erika Ortigoza, the park's director said they try to bring 'broken' animals back to life.

"These animals are exploited. They give up being wild animals to turn into a suppressed animal. We have to do that rehabilitation, which is not only physical but behavioural so that they recover and remember that animal they have inside," Ortigoza said.

Some of the animals have already made a full recovery but others have died upon arrival due to their poor health.

Veterinarians here are currently rehabilitating malnourished lions, tigers and bears. Many have been stripped of their teeth and claws and have severe trauma to the head and jaws.

Mexico's Environmental Prosecutor Guillermo Haro, said 69 animals are still being held by circuses but they now belong to the state.

"We have animals which are owned by the country. That means they are now part of the heritage of the government of the republic. They, 69 of these animals, are currently being held by the circuses. That means that in these cases we have finished the procedure to seize and (sort out) their final destination and although they are being cared for by circuses they belong to the country," Haro said.

Mexico's Environment and Natural Resources Ministry, Semarnat, reported 1,046 circus animals, including tigers, llamas, camels, lions, giraffes and jaguars, need to be relocated. Authorities have seized 136 of these animals due to lack of permits and abuse. The rest should be given away by circuses. They have recommended 108 zoos and six wildlife conservation and research centres willing to take them in.