Tarzan Zerbini Circus Factsheet

Note: Tarzan Zerbini also operates under the names of "Circus Maximus" and the "Royal Canadian Circus".

July 23, 2002, Ontario: Canadian authorities quarantined and then deported at least 3 Tarzan Zerbini elephants after the USDA discovered that they had previously been exposed to a Tuberculosis positive elephant.

July 23, 2000 Halifax, Nova Scotia: The Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources forced Tarzan Zerbini to buy larger overnight cages after the circus was found to be in violation of provincial laws.

November 3, 1999 USA: The USDA cited Tarzan Zerbini for the third time in a year for an improperly maintained transport trailer. The floor that supports the elephants was sagging with spots rusted through.

November 1999 USA: Two elephants used by Tarzan Zerbini who had been exposed to other, tuberculosis-positive elephants were quarantined for testing.

May 4, 1999 USA: The USDA cited Tarzan Zerbini for failure to provide veterinary care to an elephant named Roxy with a swollen left front foot. The circus was also cited for failure to provide shade for the elephants and for improper food storage.

May 1999 USA: The USDA cited Tarzan Zerbini for the second time for an improperly maintained transport trailer that could injure the elephants' feet.

April 24, 1999 Duluth, Minnesota: A 27-year-old Tarzan Zerbini circus worker, who had been drinking, was hospitalized in serious condition after he was attacked by an elephant who had broken free of her shackles in Duluth, Minn., where the circus was performing for the Shriners. Another elephant trainer admitted that the elephants had been beaten badly by drunken trainers and were wary of people with alcohol on their breath. The trainer also commented, "There are probably more people killed and injured by elephants than by any other exotic animal."

November 18, 1998 Gainsville, Florida: Jupiter, a three and a half year old Bengal tiger used by the Tarzan Zebini circus for Montreal shows in August 1998, killed one of its owners when it lunged without warning and bit her neck. She died immediately. Five weeks earlier, Jupiter had killed one of its other owners. The tiger was killed by the local sherriff's SWAT team with three shots from a .308 rifle.

November 18, 1998 USA: The USDA cited Tarzan Zerbini for an improperly maintained elephant transport trailer.

August 19, 1998 Montreal: The Montreal Gazette reported that Jupiter, a white Bengal tiger, bore scars on his temples and hips.

March 17,1997 Grand Rapids, Michigan: A bear traveling with the Tarzan Zerbini Circus bit off the tip of a 2 year old child's finger. The child had to undergo surgery to repair her finger.

February 6,1995 Ft. Wayne, Indiana: a Tarzan Zerbini employee was stepped on by an elephant and suffered a crushed pelvis and was in critical condition at the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. No reports of her recovery were available.

December 8, 1994 USA: The USDA during a routine inspection, found Tarzan Zerbini non-compliant with the Animal Welfare Act for not having a program for veterinary care and animal transport vehicles in need of repair.

April 25, 1994 Michigan: Three children were injured during elephant rides at a Tarzan Zerbini performance in Michigan.

November 5, 1994 USA: The USDA found Tarzan Zerbini non-compliant with the Federal Animal Welfare Act for failing to have a program for veterinary care and no veterinary medical records. The circus also did not have records of acquisition and disposition of the animals.

July 16, 1992 Lafayette, Indiana: Nine people were injured at the Tarzan Zerbini circus when its elephants collided and caused a barricade to come toppling down. The spectators were treated for cuts and bruises and one woman was hospitalized.

September 14, 1990 Victoria, B.C.: The SPCA inspected the Tarzan Zerbini circus and noted the following: the majority of the horses had lacerations, abrasions or scars from old injuries. There was no food or water available for the tigers. The cages for the monkeys were extraordinarily small, not allowing the monkeys to stand on their hind legs.

The inspector was told by the circus that the monkeys and dogs are kept in the cages at all times, except for the show performances. No water was provided for the monkeys and dogs.

The inspector stated in her report, "this circus, where the animals did not have food or water available, where the animals were kept entirely in cages too small to allow the least bit of movement or comfort, and where it was impossible to find anyone to accept basic responsibility for the care of the animals was a prime example of everything that should not be allowed to occur in a circus".