Activists call on Central Coast Council to ban Stardust Circus

A GROUP of Central Coast people who want exotic animals banned from circuses will stage a protest outside Central Coast Council in Gosford calling for Stardust Circus to be banned from the waterfront. TAKE OUR POLL

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PROTESTERS against the animal circus in Gosford hope “fresh ears” in the newly-elected Central Coast Council will result in a permanent ban.

The No Animal Circus in Gosford group will hold a peaceful protest outside Central Coast Council’s Gosford office from 3.30pm. They are also circulating a petition calling for the Council to ban the use of exotic animals in circuses on council land.

No Animal Circus in Gosford spokeswoman Skyla Wagstaff said the group unites every year to protest against Stardust Circus on the Gosford waterfront.

Skyla Wagstaff and Ana Lopes are leading a petition and protest to call on council to ban all exotic animal circuses on council land. Picture: Mark Scott

They are against animals in prolonged periods in confinement, constant travel, and stress which can lead to abnormal behaviours such as repetitive pacing or swaying.

“We’ve been protesting consistently over the last four to five years,” Ms Wagstaff said. “Last year we had four protests over four consecutive weeks.”

Ms Wagstaff, facilitator of Central Coast Animal Liberation, said animal circuses were banned by Hornsby and Newcastle councils, along with more than 40 Australian councils and 50 countries.

“Even though they are operating legally, and never been found to do any harm or cruelty, if you look at major welfare organisations such as the RSPCA they object to animals being used in circuses,” she said.

“There’s no way the life of the circus can meet the needs of animals travelling from town to town and locked up in cages. It’s a shame the council allows them to come here. We need to ban it now and be forward thinking.”

A monkey from Stardust Circus in Gosford this year.

The group also expressed concern about the proximity of the animals to the New Year’s Eve fireworks.

“We are hoping our case will fall on fresh ears, and are planning to present a report to council from leading experts,” Ms Wagstaff said. “We would like to head it [the circus] off before they get here.”

Stardust Circus has been performing on the Coast for more than 20 years. The Circus website has an Animal Welfare page outlining their safe practice compliance and love for animals.

Stardust Circus owners Jan and Lindsay Lennon.

Circus owner Jan Lennon told the Express the animals get the “best of everything”.

“They have been born and bred in captivity, and they are all well and loved,” she said.

“They live longer with us than they do in the wild. They also get the best in veterinary care.”

She said travelling doesn’t worry or stress the animals, and her son-in-law was always exercising the lions and playing football with them.

Lions from the Stardust Circus in Gosford.

“The fireworks don’t worry them at all,” she said. “If it did we would take measures to make sure they were comfortable.”

Mrs Lennon said she was informed by the council that 2017/2018 could be their last year due to future development in the area.

For more information on the protest visit the Facebook page or for information about the circus visit stardustcircus.com.au.