Stardust Circus denies animal cruelty claims
Stardust Circus has been around for more than 150 years and has hit back at activists it claims are bullying the business on social media and encouraging people to steal its property.
Central Coast
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A FAMILY business spanning more than 150 years says it is being forced to constantly defend its livelihood and fend off acts of bullying.
Stardust Circus has been coming to Gosford for more than 20 years, with the red tent a popular tourist attraction throughout January.
Each year, animal rights groups protest against the captivity of exotic animals at the circus.
Stardust Circus Ringmaster Adam St James said everyone is entitled to their opinion, however when opinion turns to “sensational stories and lies”, they have to speak up. He said certain groups had hit out on social media and encouraged people to steal advertising signs.
“People on the Coast still want to see animals in the circus, however there are organisations that want to damage us and hurt our family,” he said.
“There are just so many lies and sensational stories that get put across and that’s when we have a problem. It’s very disheartening. One organisation said that we showed in the 40-degree heat. We certainly didn’t and never would. It’s not fair to the animals or the public.”
Stardust management invited the Express Advocate for a behind the scenes look at the conditions of their animals who are “part of the family”. The animals have shade, shelter, water, exercise areas as well as air-conditioned trailers – the lions have the coolest airconditioning system, according to Lion trainer Matt Ezekial who takes any opportunity to play sport with them.
Mr St James said having to defend themselves from false allegations is “heartbreaking”.
“There are also reports that the animals have no shade, which is ridiculous,” he said. “I am against animal cruelty however it’s certainly not here in the circus.”
When the circus rolls into a town, it is inspected by the RSPCA. They are policed by the State Government and the Department of Primary Industries which issue permits.
“We have never had any problems, the RSPCA field inspectors are happy with the living quarters and the conditions of our animals,” Mr St James said. “All the animals are in tip top condition. If we did half the stuff these groups claim we do, we would be prosecuted and closed down.”
Stardust Circus has six lions, five monkeys, two pigs, three goats, as well as horses and dogs. The lions are from over 20 generations of lions born and bred in captivity. However, this group of lions, as well as monkeys, will be the last.
“We can see where the future is going and that’s why our family decided not to breed anymore,” Mr St James said.
“Some of these organisations say ‘take them out to a sanctuary’, however they would not survive. This is the life they have become accustomed to. Our animals are loved and are treated as part of the family. There’s a big difference between animal welfare and animal rights.”
Animal activist groups have been calling on the council to ban the circus on council land. Stardust Circus invited Central Coast Council Mayor Jane Smith and the councillors for a tour, and councillors Richard Mehrtens, Jilly Pilon and Louise Greenaway attended last week.
“40 councils out of 503 have banned us within council land,” Mr St James said. “Generally we don’t get consulted and the next year we are told we are no longer welcome. If Central Coast Council has any intention to ban it’s important they hear both sides of the story.”
Stardust Circus manager Glenn West said the circus has moved with the times, abolishing the use of whips and fire more than 20 years ago. He said the circus received threats on a regular basis.
“It’s all day every day, we get them calling our bookings line and threatening us,” he said. “We have people claiming they will “kidnap the animals back to safety”.
Mr St James said “peaceful protests” are also becoming a danger to the community.
“I made a complaint to the Gosford Police following last year’s protests with protesters taking up the pathway and forcing the public onto the busy road,” he said.
He said the circus had received a lot of support from the Coast community, and attendance this year has been phenomenal.
“For most of the shows we are 80 to 90 per cent full,” he said. “At the end of the day, if people didn’t attend, we wouldn’t come back.
“These people are trying to destroy a tradition that has been in the Lennon and West families for over 150 years. It would be nice if the bullying stops. We give people good, clean family entertainment and I would hate that to end.”