Press Release: Run Ringling Out! Rally

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Saturday, July 17, 2004

FRESNO VOICES FOR ANIMALS
“We Choose Because They Can’t”

ANIMAL RIGHTS GROUPS FROM BAKERSFIELD TO MODESTO PROTEST RINGLING BROS. CIRCUS IN FRESNO; AND DEATH OF LION

CONTACT: Nicholas DeGraff / Fresno Voices for Animals / (559) 213-2042

FRESNO – In the shadow of the recent death of a Ringling Bros. lion, a newly formed group of Fresno residents who have become increasingly concerned with the treatment of animals held in captivity will be protesting for the fourth consecutive day outside Selland Arena. The group will be making a colorful and visible presence to educate the public about Ringling Bros. long history of neglect and incidents leading to the injury or harm of their performing animals.

News of the death of Clyde the lion was released Thursday by PETA, saying “According to the whistleblower who informed PETA of the lion’s death, Clyde, along with other lions belonging to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, received no water for three days while caged in a poorly ventilated boxcar. The source also told PETA that Ringling quickly disposed of Clyde’s body in an attempt to cover up his death.” During this time period, the train was crossing the Mojave Desert where temperatures were exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

“This unfortunate, but all to common tragedy could not serve as a better example of the point that we have been trying to make for the last three days,” said Teresa Hele of Fresno Voices for Animals. “It is tragedies like these that will only end when people stop supporting circuses that use animals for entertainment.”

This incident is remarkably similar to a July 2000 incident in which two tigers were injured when they tried to escape from an overheated boxcar. The USDA cited Ringling Bros. for the incident, as well as many others involving a wide range of their performing animals. Fresno Voices for Animals has joined PETA in calling for an independent investigation by the USDA.

Lions, who usually have a roaming area of 75 to 20,000 square miles are kept in 4 foot by 5 foot cages after being ripped out of the wild that they were intended for. “With the long record of USDA citations, it is easy to see how Clyde symbolizes all of the animals that are forced to perform 50 weeks a year,” said Nicholas DeGraff of Fresno Voices for Animals. “While many may be puzzled why Ringling Bros. would not take care of such a majestic and valuable creature, the fact remains that proper care is costly. We’re concerned that Feld Inc., owner of Ringling Bros., is putting more focus on profits for the ailing subsidiary than for the humane care of their animals.”

For undercover training footage of big cats, please visit: http://www.Circuses.com
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