Tuesday, 24 August 2010 08:36

ADI research on the circus industry is to rescue chimpanzees. The Ministry of Environment has confirmed a resolution, produced earlier this year, through which sanctions are imposed for the owner of Circo Gasca, Martin Fuentes Gasca, and the representative of the company Protequem, Pedro Alfonso Villaraga, by Failure to comply with environmental legislation. These sanctions come as a result of an investigation initiated by the Ministry based on the evidence submitted by Animal Defenders International (ADI) on the use of animals in circuses in Colombia revealed staggering levels of violence and abuse. These incidents include documentation of a female chimpanzee, called Karla.

Karla was hit with fists in the face and beaten with a chain by her trainer and another chimp, named Panchito, who is also in the investigation that is beaten by his coach.


The frightened animal screams as attacks occur. The investigation also showed that animals in circuses live in inadequate, deprived of their natural conditions. The severe confinement stress is a factor consisting of animals in traveling circuses throughout the world, is aggravated by the lack of space for exercise or to perform natural behaviors and lack of social interaction with their own species.


After the revealing results of ADI, Karla and Panchito chimpanzees were quickly donated by the circus to different zoos. The Ministry confirmed that these donations did not follow legal procedures established by Decree 1608 of 1978, which in turn regulates environmental issues in the country.


The Ministry also said the responsibility Protequem Circus and for not having the appropriate marking of the animals, which also is against environmental legislation. As a result, the Ministry imposed a fine on Circo Gasca Protequem and $ 19 million pesos (approximately U.S. $ 10,000).


In 2009, ADI Bolivia led an investigation that led the country to ban the use of animals in circuses. The organization subsequently rescued four lions, which were relocated to the PAWS sanctuary in San Andreas, California. As part of the investigation of ADI to end the suffering of animals in circuses, there are currently similar legislation under consideration in Colombia, Peru and Brazil.


With new offices in Los Angeles, ADI has redoubled its efforts to end animal suffering through direct campaigns with our activists, public education workshops and distribution of information through leaflets. In its ongoing communication with the Colombian government, ADI hopes to persuade the authorities to deliver the chimpanzees so that they can relocate in a safe place, probably in the United States.


The Executive Director of ADI, Jan Creamer said: "We are pleased to know that the investigation of ADI in Colombian circus industry prompted the Ministry of Environment to take decisive legal action. This decision is not only just but also sets a precedent important to show that animal circuses are no longer immune to the penalties provided by law. The images of terrified Karla getting punched and beaten after us yet, but the Ministry's decision is a step in the right direction to end this type of abuse. "





Taken from: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100823006150/es