Montréal Circuses: Profits from Pain

Circus animals are forced to perform unnatural, demeaning, and often painful acts through the use of chaining, beating, electric shocks, and food deprivation. These exotic, often endangered animals endure intensive confinement in tiny, filthy cages, and travel for up to 50 weeks of the year. Click here to find out more about the lives of circus animals.

Because of these miserable conditions, circus animals often rebel and rampage; in the past decade alone, over 220 people have been injured or killed as a result. Click here for a complete listing of circus animal attacks.

The Shriners have commissioned one of the most notorious animal abusers in the circus world, the Tarzan Zerbini circus, for their Montreal performances. Tarzan Zerbini has been cited at least eight times by Canadian and US authorities for neglect and abuse, and more than 15 people have been injured by their animals. Click here to find out more about the Tarzan Zerbini circus.

Contrary to public perception, the proceeds from the Shriners' circuses do not go to the Shrine Hospital for burned children. In reality, the proceeds fund administrative expenses, which include such items as travel, conference fees, and the purchase of jewelry for their Imperial Potentate. Click here to see a letter from the Shrine Hospital saying that they do not receive any circus proceeds.

The Super Cirque (performs at the Bell Centre in downtown Montreal every Christmas) rents animals from the Hawthorn Corporation. Hawthorn has accumulated $72,500 in USDA penalties and has twice had its license suspended. Four of Hawthorn's elephants died from a human strain of tuberculosis. In January 1997, Hawthorn's herd of 18 elephants was restricted from traveling during tuberculosis treatment. Hawthorn's elephants have rampaged, causing death, injury, and property damage. Click here to find out more about the Hawthorn Corporation.

For public safety and animal welfare reasons, Global Action Network has formally requested that the City of Montreal enact a by-law prohibiting the use of animal acts in entertainment. Please write to Mayor Tremblay and encourage him to make the ethical decision and say no to animal acts in the future. Click here for a sample letter that you can send.