Stop Circus Suffering

Join ADI in urging country fair to axe ‘Victorian’ lion act!

ADI calls on Herefordshire Country Fair organisers to cancel controversial Chipperfield show

**UPDATE** The Chipperfield lion act scheduled to appear at the Herefordshire Country Fair has been cancelled!

Animal Defenders International (ADI) is calling on organisers of the Herefordshire Country Fair to cancel a controversial lion show taking place at its annual event in Caradoc on Sunday 2 August. Please join us!

Four year old lions Assegai and Tsavo are set to appear in a total of four performances at the Fair and will be on display all day. The lions live in cages alongside tigers Nadia, Altai and Syas on the back of a truck known as a ‘beastwagon’. Their owner is circus trainer Thomas Chipperfield, a relative of the notorious Mary Chipperfield who was convicted for multiple counts of animal cruelty in the late 1990s following an investigation by ADI.

Chipperfield and his family toured with Duffy’s Circus in Ireland for many years before returning to Britain in 2013, where he presented a big cat act at Peter Jolly’s Circus – one of two circuses still performing with wild animals. After causing outrage across the UK with the return of big cats to a British circus, Chipperfield took the animals to spend the cold winter months on the Scottish coast. He is now attempting a series of solo animal shows, the first of which was denied a licence by local authorities in Scotland. ‘An evening with lions and tigers’ is taking place in Powys, Wales from today, and has already attracted negative publicity and an outcry from animal groups and members of the public.

The lives that the Chipperfield big cats endure are in stark contrast to those they would have in the wild. Given their solitary nature, in their natural environment tigers have limited contact with their own kind, roaming and defending a territory which can be as large as 470 km2 and described by wildlife vet Simon Adams as “an essential behavioural drive”. In their confined travelling circus living quarters, stated by Mr Adams describes as “unsuitable”, the Chipperfield tigers live in close proximity to one another and alongside lions, who they would not encounter in the wild. 

ADI has documented the Chipperfield cats exhibiting abnormal, repetitive behaviour not witnessed in the wild but commonly seen in performing animals. Their unnatural behaviour has been described by vet Marc Abraham as “a sure sign their welfare is severely compromised”.

The British public is overwhelmingly opposed to the use of performing wild animals, and their distaste for this outdated form of entertainment is reflected by consistently high support for a wild animal circus ban. A 2013 YouGov poll found, with regard to the use of lions and tigers, 78% and 79% believed these animals should not be used in circuses.

Over 200 local councils have banned animal circuses from public land and the Government is committed to prohibiting wild animal acts nationwide, for which legislation has already been drafted, with Wales seeking to be included in the new law. Scotland will soon announce its plans following a public consultation which revealed last week that 98% of respondents support a ban. To expedite the circus ban legislation, Jim Fitzpatrick MP has introduced an Early Day Motion, which has secured cross-party support since being tabled last week.

These Victorian attractions serve no educational or conservation purpose and consigning these incredible animals to a life of confinement and performance in this day and age is tragic to see. 

Please take action today and join ADI in opposing these archaic acts!

  • Sign our Care2 petition calling on Herefordshire Country Fair organisers not to feature the lion act
  • Urge your MP to sign EDM 192 calling for action on the circus ban – you can find out how your MP is and contact them here
  • Make a donation and help ADI expose circus suffering and campaign for change

Comments

  1. Barb Nozzi · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    No more animals in circuses!!

    Reply
  3. Clive Leworthy · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Ban circus abuse of wild animals

    Reply
  4. Carole Whittaker · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Using magnificent wild animals such as these as a source of entertainment while detracting from their own lives is outmoded and does not belong in the 21st century.

    Reply
  5. Pauline brown · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Wild Animals should be respected!!! This so called entertainment teaches us NOTHING!
    Will we never learn!
    Don’t please Support this!
    Governments should have Banned years AGO!!
    City/County Councils mostly have!!

    Reply
  6. Lana Garin · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    No words needed. It has 2 stop !!!

    Reply
  7. Tom Macpherson · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    This has to be stopped. Wild animals are not meant to be kept in cages for (moronic) human beings to stand and stare at them. This #%*# that ‘trains’ these animals should be arrested for animal cruelty and these animals given a sanctuary to live a normal life

    Please don’t visit this event and let them know that people care about these animals and want to see them free and NOT their for entertainment

    Reply
  8. Lynn Jackson · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Really disappointed this is permitted.

    Reply
  9. Kate-Zillah Sharpe · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    They say that you can tell the character of a country by how it’s inhabitants treat their animals and I’m ashamed of the UK right now.

    Reply
  10. Tatiana Chernenko · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Stop using animals, they are not toys to play with.

    Reply
  11. genee schock · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Cant beieve this is still happening in the UK

    Reply
  12. Linda Grant · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Please do not promote this animal cruelty. Do the right thing, stop. Thank you.

    Reply
  13. Linda Grant · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Please do not promote animal exploitation. Thank you.

    Reply
  14. Stephanie Cacopardo · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Wild animals belong in the wild. The public is becoming educated to this fact. So should you.

    Reply
  15. Lesley Hinde · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Circuses & fairs with animals are wrong.

    Reply
  16. Jane Farabaugh · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    NO animal should be made to perform for mans entertainment!!!

    Reply
  18. Donna Burke · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    I am appalled and disgusted that wild animals are still being used in your circus. I will never attend one and will campaign against you, until you stop using animals.

    Reply
    1. Donna Burke · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

      Sorry…I thought these comments were going to the circus organisers!

  19. JoAnn Mellendorf · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    These people don’t realize want is going on around them today. Tha there us do much awareness about theses thing today. And with all probability, it will stop and sometimes they will be charged with…..

    Reply
  20. MAYO.PS · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Leave the wild life in the wild, we no longer need the help of wild life to survive so its high time the wild life has their freedom and peace.

    Reply
  21. Carol Brooks · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Please, it’s time…

    Reply
  22. Deborah ashman · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Am shocked that this is planned in Herefordshire…thought it was a civilised county!

    Reply
  23. Mary Langseth · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Lions and other wild animals did not belong in captivity they do not belong to any person stop this cruel unnatural thing from going on

    Reply
  24. Annette McQueen · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    I’m rescheduling a vacation because of this.

    Reply
  25. Gerard o brien · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Pls stop this barbaric form of entertainment for humans we are not in the 1800 ,s UK but 2015 !!!

    Reply
  26. Karima Tapiovaara · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Circus is a cruel and barbaric way to exploit animals and generate income for people who have no feeling or empathy towards the animals well being. All circuses are archaic and should be banned. I will boycott them and urge all my friends to do the same.

    Reply
  27. Kathleen Hurley · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Animals were not created to entertain us. It is immoral and inhumane to capture and abuse them.

    Reply
  28. Dianne Burke · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    This brutal abuse to magnificent lions must be stopped asap. They are real life flesh and blood wild Cats … NOT playthings for the entertainment of homo sapiens! They must be respected and allowed to be themselves, socialising and being with their own kind without any interference from man!

    Reply
  29. Beth Pierce · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    This is appalling and criminal.

    Reply
  30. sharon hesford · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    The lions need to be freed to a sanctuary, keeping them confined in small cages and asking them to perform for the public is cruel and unnatural.

    Reply
  31. linda Daly-Lucas · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Stop this now!

    Reply
  32. Christine E Cooper · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Incredibly cruel to keep these beautiful animals caged for the most of their lives apart from being made to perform unnaturally to make a buck for the owners. This is 2015 !!! Would never take my children to a circus that uses animals to perform & would actively persuade others not to either…..
    There are plenty of circus that dont use animals

    Reply
  33. Janet Madison · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Stop exploiting innocent creatures in order to satisfy your greedy, “Love of money.” Jesus said this was the, “Root of all evil.”
    The only reason that this ever happens is because animals have no voice, what would these lions say if they COULD talk to humans?

    Reply
  35. sara johnston · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    only abusers would take their kids to witness abuse ..out dated not wanted in this century

    Reply
  36. Vickie rico · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Please don’t use these lions for entertainment

    Reply
  37. Emma Cratchley · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Please cancel the lion show, wild animals should not be used for human ‘entertainment’. It is very far from their natural environment and therefore cannot display any natural behaviour. Some compassion to these majestic animals. Please.

    Reply
  38. Claire sweet · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Please don’t support the miserable lives these animals already live!!

    Reply
  40. Diana Ramirez · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    It is time for these types of barbaric acts to end. The suffering of majestic animals for human entertainment is no longer tolerated in a civilized society. Times are changed and so should we.

    Reply
  41. Diana ROMANOS · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Animals are NOT ours to use in entertainment!! In fact they are not ours to eat, sell, have sex with, ride on or make coats from. WE share their planet !! It’s time we showed them the respect they deserve !! #Vegan4Life #EmptyCages #EmptyTanks

    Reply
  42. G Fuller · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    This isn’t right and not necessary. Please don’t allow this and don’t support animal acts or entertainment #freemali and #freenosey also

    Reply
  45. k p owens · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    we have no right to force them to do any thing but live there lives in the wild , if they need us they will ask for help . other wise who are we kidding they where here first right god is that what you did

    Reply
  46. katherine · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Please retire these lions to a retirement home. Shame on you.

    Reply
  47. Adele mullen · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Ban all animal shows, it’s not fair to any animal. It’s all for the money not the welfare of the animals

    Reply
  48. joii resnick · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    please help our animals get back into their natural habitat without killing them

    Reply
  49. Carol Keith · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Animals are not here for our entertainment or for any other abusive purpose.They were here first,let’s give them the respect that they deserve and the ability to live with their own kind in the wild,not in some small cage!

    Reply
  51. Fiona Dynowski · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    There is no place now for this sort of cruelty, animals are not enjoying captivity but suffering, no-one wants to pay to see this anymore. Please ban all circuses using..and in some cases abusing animals for the sake of money.

    Reply
  52. linda douthwaite · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Stop using wild animals for circuses. Their training and their caging is indecent.

    Reply
  53. Vanaja Panickar · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Please stop this insane act. Release and let them free.

    Reply
  54. Sarah L Nield · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    How much longer will this wicked exploitation of animals go on? They are alive, just like a human being. They are not machines where you can press a button and pull a lever to make them perform. They know things. They feel pain and distress. All they want is to be allowed to live their lives in their natural surrounding as nature intended.

    Reply
  56. Alexandra Stallings · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Please cancel lion act & send to sanctuary

    Reply
  57. Kathy Davis · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Please do not feature the Chipperfield Lion Act. Do not support the continued abusive conditions to these animals held in captivity.

    Reply
  58. Teresa Davis · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    They all need to be shut down forever!

    Reply
  59. Bertha Nichols · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Stop circus’ animal suffering.

    Reply
  60. Maria Dorrian · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    STOP abusing animals in circuses. The Chipperfields must be stopped!

    Reply
  62. Sandra · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    these animals should not be used like this. Its cruel.

    Reply
  63. Wendy Mcloughlin · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    You ‘ve got my full support
    There should not be any animals in zoos full stop.

    Reply
  64. yan gullen · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Outrageous. Outdated. Its bad enough being kept in zoo’s. Now wanting to transport tthem round. People need to start respecting animals. They are not here for us to exploit. Ban it please.

    Reply
  65. Louise Gibson · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    This is clearly animal cruelty in the name of so-called human entertainment.

    Reply
  66. Wayne clarke · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Send them back to Africa

    Reply
  67. Jean Calvert · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Animals should be in the wild not a cage if you want to see one look at a photo!

    Reply
  68. Birgit von der burg · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Animals in circus Is cruel. Stop the lion act

    Reply
  69. Annita Varkevisser · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    It’s high time that all animals are released from Circuses and put back in their natural habitat.

    Reply
  70. Rebecca Arnoldy · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    End their prison sentence…

    Reply
  71. Chris Voets · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    NO MORE ANIMALS AS “ENTERTAINMENT”!!!

    Reply
  72. Audra Bellamy · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Animals should not be paraded around for our entertainment

    Reply
  73. Karina Röck-Seubert · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Stopp it!

    Reply
  74. Mariane agerbeek · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Lions belong in the bush.It is a crime to make them do stupid performances, Go and do them your self It is a crime the way you treat the animals

    Reply
  75. Dawn dowling · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Stop exploiting Lions ! Nobody wants to see wildlife being abused in a circus. It’s old, it’s outdated , it’s barbaric . The circus days are numbered. Evolve, or else,

    Reply
  76. vera schiffer · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    sofort verbieten

    Reply
  77. Sabine Danelon · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    WE HAVE TO PROTECT ALL SPECIES! NOT OURS TO DO AS HUMANITY DOES!!
    ALL SPECIES HAVE SOULS , DESERVE RESPECT !
    THEY ARE HERE IN EARTH WITH HUMANITY , NOT FOR HUMANITY !!

    Reply
  78. Dieter Reger · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    KEIN SPOTT MIT DER KREATUR!

    Reply
  79. Rose Raill · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Leave the animals in the wild where they should be, free, they have emotions just like humans, they were not mean to be caged for mans greed of money

    Reply
  80. Bianca Bostic · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Please stop this cruelty, they’re not meant for people gawking, they belong in the wild.

    Reply
  81. Jan Harvell · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    No animal is for human entertainment and/or profit – Lions are wild animals and should be in the wild open spaces they were born in.

    Reply
  82. Jo · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    It is awful please stop this act

    Reply
  83. Susan Gamble · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Please don’t allow these lions to be used as entertainment. They are proud animals and deserve better.

    Reply
  84. Maria Parthe · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Animals are not for entertainment!

    Reply
  86. Stu · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Is this really the only way these people can make a living? How sad!

    Reply
  87. franziska grasmugg · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    keine Tiere in Gefangenschaft

    Reply
  88. Norma Whittaker · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Animals in cages speaks volumes in regards to ethics and morals. This is barbaric and to consider this as entertainment at your venue speaks volumes. Please join the evolving world that considers animal abuse NOT a form of entertainment . Consider the life these animals must endure them ask yourself if you would live like this? Letting this person show his act is DISTURBING!
    Consider human acts . Please

    Reply
  89. Cindy Wines · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    These poor lions. This should be against the law. What a horrible life! If no one showed up to see the show, that would be a powerful statement. Shame on them for doing this to thse poor animals. Not fair!!

    Reply
  90. Parsla Meiere · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    We have to put an end to the animal suffering – once and forever!

    Reply
  91. Henriette Roux · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    Wild animals in captivity is cruel, inhumane and a big shame on the human race !
    La honte !

    Reply
  92. Laura Culbert · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    We all know that animals suffer terribly in captivity , especially when forced to do trivial tricks for so called entertainment! Stop the cruelty NOW, end all wild animals in circuses !

    Reply
  93. Kathlynne Burbidge · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    We need to stop degrading these animals and purting them at risk for stress as well as the exploitation that we as humans seem to feel we have the right to. It is so wrong. Animals such as big cats deserve the respect and correct stewardship of a comfortable and safe sanctuary. Please stop these animal exhibitions for it is no longer morally right to call exploitation entertainment when animsls suffer.

    Reply
  95. Donn Eyssi · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    This is atrocious! Animals are not ours to abuse and exploit for entertainment. No one deserves to be caged!

    Reply
  96. Margaret Boyle · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    I see abuse’ STOP!!

    Reply
  98. Tina Smythe · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    The time is long past to stop these wild animal acts we now know it is cruel and not right

    Reply
  99. Hilary Blissitt · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    I would like to sign the petition to stop lion appearence at Herifordshire country show, BUT it only brings up all States in America ???

    so how can i sign

    Reply
  100. Davina · 2 July 2015 at 11:59a

    This circus is in my neighbouring town at the moment ! I’m going to join the protestors tomorrow as I didn’t know we still had big cats in circuses

    Reply

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