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Anne the arthritic elephant is at the centre of a circus storm
MSP Christine Grahame has called on Borderers to boycott the circus in Galashiels this week because of its 56-year-old arthritic elephant.
But Bobby Roberts Circus administrator – Bobby's wife Moira Roberts – says government and "countless" other UK vets say Anne their elephant is fine.
Circus owner Mr Roberts, who has had the Indian elephant from Sri Lanka since she was four, says: "Anne has a good quality of life.
"It's absolutely ridiculous what they are saying."
But Ms Grahame, the convener of the Cross-party Parliamentary Group on Animal Welfare, said: "The use of animals in circuses such as this is unnecessary and in many cases cruel.
"There have been particular concerns raised with this circus in relation to the elephant that is used and I hope Borderers will not endorse the exploitation of this animal by attending the show."
The circus has run into the controversy in its first visit to Galashiels in three years.
Advocates for Animals' campaigns director Ross Minett said: "Most circuses now feature an all-human cast, removing the need to keep animals confined for long periods, transport them around the country or use hidden training methods to make them perform in the ring."
And Captive Animals' Protection Society (CAPS) campaigns director Craig Redmond says: "Despite repeated claims by the circus, Anne the elephant is not retired. She may be too arthritic to perform typical circus tricks any more, but she is still transported across the country so people can pay to have their photo taken alongside her.
"She deserves a real retirement, in a sanctuary with others of her species. We would encourage people to avoid all animal circuses."
The campaigners say opinion polls show that the public opposes the confinement, transportation and training methods used by animal circuses and supports a ban.
But Mr Roberts told us: "The public mood hasn't changed – 90 per cent of people who come ask us 'have you still got an elephant?' They want to see a circus with animals."
Anne retired from performing 10 years ago and now makes an appearance during the interval for photographs.
There are no elephant sanctuaries in Britain, but two in the USA, said Mrs Roberts, but they have been advised by vets that the journey would kill their beloved elephant.
Mrs Roberts continued: "Anne has been checked by countless independent vets all over the country to see that she is well cared for and well looked after.
"She has been with the circus since she was four years old, this is her home. She is a happy animal. We have looked after her and cared for her all her life – she doesn't know any other life.
"She is happy with the animals she is with. She never liked other elephants – she was the smallest and they (the other circus elephants) used to pick on her – but she thrives now.
"Call me eccentric, but Bobby talks to Anne and she talks back to him – she would let him know if anything was wrong and we would look after her.
"We love her very much. It would break her heart to go home (to their farm in Northamptonshire), but if Bobby felt her welfare needs were that she should, she would go home.”
When legislation on keeping wild animals captive changed two years ago, the circus met regularly with animal welfare groups, including the RSPCA, Born Free and others, but CAPS had refused to take part, said Mrs Roberts.
“Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) agreed then that Anne is in the best possible place for her,” said Mrs Roberts.
She said Anne had had arthritis for 10 years, adding: “Our vet looks after her and gives her the medicine she needs and we make sure she has it.”
The circus also has horses, dogs and a camel and will be in the Public Park, Galashiels, until Sunday.
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Weather for Galashiels
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
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