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Re- Exotic Animals in Circuses Simon JR Adams, BSc.BVMS.MRCVS. It is now well accepted in international animal welfare academic circles that travelling circuses cannot provide adequately for the complex welfare requirements for zoo mammals. Even the provision of suitable environments for reptiles in travelling circuses are usually sub-standard in my experience, especially larger species such as snakes, monitor lizards and Crocodilia. We assess the welfare of animals with reference to the 5 Freedoms of Animal Welfare:- - "The Farm Animal Welfare Council of the (FAWC) UK issued Codes of Recommendation for the Welfare of Livestock, made under the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1968, that farm animals should be provided with: 1/ Freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition. These terms are referred to as the 'Five Freedoms'." The costs of providing adequate facilities, specialist veterinary care and nutrition to satisfy these 5 freedoms are prohibitive and even larger zoos have difficulty in attaining acceptable standards. Due to the limitations on enclosure size and complexity and the complicated nutritional and social needs of exotic species and limitations in funds required to cater adequately for any of the 5 freedoms of exotic/zoo mammals in travelling circuses, I do not believe it is possible to satisfy their welfare requirements. Therefore in my opinion, I believe it is only a matter of time before circuses are banned from keeping and exhibiting these species. As welfare science advances in the future, it is likely that circuses will fall further and further behind legislative welfare standards. Circuses are financially dependent on public patronage and I believe as the public becomes increasingly aware of animal welfare concerns that it will become obvious to circus owners that exotic menageries tend to repel, rather than attract, the public they wish to entertain. This certainly appears to be trend in larger UK and US circuses, as they "dump" their exotic/zoo acts. In my opinion it is cruel for circuses to use animal acts that they cannot provide adequate 5 freedoms for. Yours Faithfully, Simon JR Adams, BSc,BVMS,MRCVS. |
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SIMON J.R. ADAMS BSc (Hons). BVMS. MRCVS.
BEACON COTTAGE
BEACON HILL LANE
WAREHAM RD.
CORFE MULLEN Email: Simonadams@aol.com
DORSET. BH21 3RU Telephone/Fax: 0044-1202 603667
An internationally experienced Zoo & wildlife veterinarian & adviser to Wildlife Welfare Charities
Key Skills Include:
* Management and development of staff in a wide variety of situations
* Experienced expert witness in international wildlife welfare prosecutions
with unbiased professional opinion
* First class clinical and surgical skills
* In-depth knowledge of Ethological issues with practical experience of
cage design etc.
* Excellent communication skills including lecturing and Public Relations
* Ex Zoological Society of London, Zoo Veterinarian
* Business management including budget development and control
* Basic language competency including basic French, German, Arabic, Urdu
and Swahili
* IT Literacy, including the development of management and diagnostic
systems
Current Activities
Provision of veterinary advice to a number of international wildlife welfare charities including the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 'Libearty', the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the International Primate Protection League, 'Bear with Us' (Toronto, Canada), Wildlife Waystation (California, USA), Animal Defenders, Care for the Wild International, the Captive Animals Protection Society and the Born Free Foundation.
This work includes such diverse activities as wildlife capture, rescue and rehabilitation; arranging international wildlife transport; managing press releases, public relations and media interviews; project management-budgeting, tendering, procurement and staff training; project assessment, troubleshooting and report preparation; lecturing on 'Animal Behaviour and Zoo Cage Design' and 'Zoo Development and Conservation'. Recently I have acted as adviser to promote the implementation of effective Dangerous Wild Animals legislation in both North and Southern Ireland. Recently, I was the veterinary expert witness in the successful “Tuli Elephant” prosecution by the NCSPCA in South Africa. This service has been developed in recognition of a particular need and in response to my own vocational concern for effective conservation and ethological care. Currently focusing on developing a new captive elephant management strategy to improve welfare in collaboration with various UK wildlife welfare charities.
Career History
Jan ‘94 - Present Zoo & Wildlife veterinarian - Zoo and Wildlife
rescues/clinical and surgical work + advise and welfare auditing/reports
for animal welfare charities globally.
Jun '90 - Jan '94 Proprietor - The Barn Veterinary Clinic, Puckeridge, Herts.
Established own mixed practice (including 30% zoo/exotic/avian clientelle). Innovation through the extensive use of computer techniques increased trading effectiveness by some 25% compared to other similar practices. The practice was set-up to support my interest in zoo ansd wildlife veterinary work. An initial investment of £6,000 realised assets of £150,000 within 3 years of operation.
Jun '89 - Jun '90 Locum Veterinary Surgeon - UK, Dubai, Bahrain, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand.
Jan '88 - May '89 Head of Veterinary Dept., Doha Zoo, Qatar (the Zoological
Society of London)
Responsible for all zoo management activities, including;
- the management of all aspects of animal health
- management and training of 50 staff including vets, nurses, keepers
and administrative staff
- premises maintenance and cage design
- all aspects of procurement and stock control
- public relations and community education
- liaison with government bodies
During the period of my tenure, the health and welfare of the animals were significantly improved - despite severe resource limitations. Difficult contractual conditions involving ZSL and Qatar were also resolved satisfactorily.
Sept '87 - Jan '88 Head of Veterinary Depts., Wood Green Animal Shelters, Heydon, Herts Wood Green Animal Shelters is one of the largest animal care and rehabilitation charities in Europe. I was responsible for the management aspects of three hospitals as well as direct involvement in the clinical and surgical care of the shelter animals (mainly small animals but also a variety of horses, farm and wild-animals).
I achieved significantly increased re-homing rates through effective vaccination control, improved surgical output, cost-effective medical treatment and nutrition and dramatic reduction in disease burden carried by endemic dog and cat colonies. I instigated a much needed and very successful training program for the nursing and kennel staff.
May ‘86 - Aug. ‘87 Tropical Veterinary Assistant at Dubai Veterinary Hospital, United Arab Emirates. Responsible for the care of H.R.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Zoo & Wildlife, camel & goat and equine interests.
July ‘85 - May ‘86 Assistant General Practitioner with Andrew Chestnutt & Ptnrs., Ware, Herts. General mixed practice which provided an excellent opportunity to gain medical, surgical and wildlife capture experience post-graduation.
Professional Details
Qualifications: Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery - Glasgow University Veterinary School Bachelor of Science (Hons), Animal Production and Science - Edinburgh University School of Agriculture Associations: MRCVS, BVZS, WAWV, BEVA, WWFN.
