According to a press release sent out by the organisation (they’d probably prefer it to be called a communique), a group of PETA members will station themselves at the entrance to the Circus at Montecasino, in Fourways, Johannesburg at 14h00 today. They’ll be wearing prison suits with chains, as well as elephant, tiger and lion masks. Of course they’ll be holding the ubiquitous banner, reading, “The Slave Trade Is Alive and Kicking. Boycott the Circus”.

The activists will explain to parents and kids that in order to force lions, tigers, elephants and other animals to perform confusing and often painful tricks, circus trainers use chains, muzzles, whips, electric prods, steel-tipped bullhooks and other cruel “tools of the trade”.

And I’m sure that circus staffers will be only too willing to join in the fun with an impromptu demonstration of the “tools of the trade”, which may or may not include cattle prods, tazers, and water cannons.

I can’t wait.

[Image: Gallo]