Prince Albert and the Monte Carlo Circus Festival

What message did Monaco send to the world about animals in captivity. I wonder if his message was lost on circus fans, circus professionals/zoo professionals. I wonder if it was only heard by animal activists?:

Prince Albert, Ruler of Monaco, sponsor of the Monte Carlo Circus Festival

The leopards had been incarcerated at Monaco's Jardin Animalier after they were given to the late Prince Rainier by a French circus owner.

However, last week Prince Albert, who succeeded to the throne in 2005, released them.

He said: "My father started the zoo in the Fifties and my mother would bring me here as a child.

"The lack of space makes it difficult to sustain. My father was aware of that but he loved the animals and wanted them close to him.

"Now I think we have to think in different terms. The zoo's animals need space and a sense of freedom. Most of them have been born in captivity.

"The leopards are quite old now but if they can have a nice last few years, then hopefully they will appreciate that we can do that for them.

"It's time to rethink the mission of zoos, particularly when we can now see the wonder of animal life in documentaries."

They tasted their new freedom in a game reserve after being rescued from Monaco zoo following a five-year campaign by The Mail on Sunday and The Born Free Foundation.

This is Born Free Foundation's statement to the elephant video below:

Will Travers, CEO of the Born Free Foundation, said:

“This important footage shows what I believe to be deliberate acts of cruelty. This is recent footage obtained while the Government has been dithering over earlier promises to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses. The simple fact is that, had they delivered on those promises, these abuses would not have occurred. In my view, circuses fail to provide for the real social, behavioural and physical needs of wild animals. Furthermore, they do not deliver any real educational or conservation benefit. And this shocking footage seems to clearly confirm that, as far as this particular organisation is concerned, the circus is a place where animals are beaten. There is no place for this in modern society – full stop. The Government must act now.”

The Mail took the victory right out of Monaco and back to Great Britain. I think it would be a good idea to get your ticket in advance for the Monte Carlo circus festival and their animal performers for no other reason then to maybe have the opportunity to ask the "sponsors": "What in the hell have you done????"