‘Tiger,’ ‘Elephant’ to Protest Historical Society Board Meeting

Board Should Relegate Circus World’s Animal Acts to the History Books, Says PETA

For Immediate Release:
May 3, 2019

Contact:
David Perle, 202-483-7382

On Saturday, a “tiger,” an “elephant,” and other protesters will conduct a spirited demonstration at the Wisconsin Historical Society’s board meeting in Eau Claire to urge the society to stop perpetuating archaic “beast wagon”–style cruelty to wild animals by continuing to host animal exhibitors at Circus World in Baraboo who have racked up a laundry list of citations for federal animal-welfare violations.

Where:    Holiday Inn Eau Claire South, 4751 Owen Ayres Ct., Eau Claire

 When:    Saturday, May 4, 8–9 a.m.

“Today’s public has a far greater understanding of wild animals’ behavior and the many forms of cruelty involved in forcing wild animals to perform stupid tricks,” says PETA Foundation Vice President and Deputy General Counsel Delcianna Winders. “There should be zero tolerance for exhibitors who abuse animals behind the scenes, and Circus World should modernize by featuring solely human talent.”

During training sessions in 2017, Circus World’s big-cat exhibitor was caught violently whipping tigers, one of whom he struck 31 times. Carson & Barnes Circus, which performs at Circus World, has been cited for more than 100 violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act—including multiple ones at Circus World, where it was cited for failing to show that a thin elephant with visible hip bones and shoulder blades had been provided with veterinary care.

PETA will also run a billboard near Circus World this month that proclaims, “Abusers Always Say That They ‘Love’ Their Victims. Animal Circuses Are Animal Abuse.”