Oct. 15, 2010
City animal control Thursday cleared all animals to perform in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, which is in town for seven shows at the Scottrade Center.
Animal control officers conducted a two-day inspection of the circus animals, focusing on the condition of 10 elephants, plus the circus's 10 tigers, 12 ponies, some goats, a dog and four llamas.
"All of the animals appeared to be in good general health and condition," said Drew Hane, supervisor of St. Louis Animal Control and Care.
Such inspections by local agencies are rare. Regulation of traveling animal shows is typically left to state and federal authorities. But St. Louis animal control officers — accustomed to dealing with wayward dogs and cats — recently were trained on how to evaluate the health of captive elephants.
The city's inspection began Wednesday, when animal control officers closely watched a troupe of circus elephants as they walked two miles from the circus train to the arena. The inquiry continued Thursday. City officers were assisted by Dr. Martha Weber, a St. Louis Zoo veterinarian.
Weber was hired as a city consultant on Wednesday, when circus officials objected to the city's using consultants paid for by the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
On Thursday, circus officials "were very helpful and answered all of our questions," Hane said.
After Wednesday's elephant walk, animal control officers had been concerned that some elephants seemed to be moving with some difficulty. But Hane said the problems had "pretty well dissipated" Thursday and perhaps were caused by the long train ride.
The circus said it was not surprised by the city's findings.
"It confirmed everything we've been saying all along — our animals receive excellent animal care," said Steve Payne, a vice president with Feld Entertainment, which owns the circus.
Animal control officers will continue monitoring the circus animals' health, stationing staff at the circus for 15 hours a day through Sunday.
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2 comments:
Nice to know that the people of St. Louis are now funding two elephant guards, at the advice of PETA experts. As usual a perfect, sensible use of taxpayer money. What a scary state the world of circus has just become embroiled within...
-Chris
Maybe Ringling Bros. can post some people in the PETA offices to ensure that they are running up to par, and not misleading the public?
Interesting, and as a former resident of the city, embarassing. The city fathers sucking up to PETA. I recall the old days when an officer from the Humane Society would look over the animals. One of the Zoo vets would usually be on call. It seemed to work.
Bruce Read, Feld's big-time animal guy, was once the Curator of Large Mammals at STL.
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