First, a bear escaped from a well-known zoo (the Eifel Zoo in Luenebach) and was shot dead.
Now, a male african elephant escaped a circus in Neuwied and was seen wandering the city's streets. Only prompt intervention by authorities and his keepers kept this majestic animal from being killed.
Animals have been banned from circuses in many European countries due to research that shows how circus situations are traumatic for all animals, in particular highly intelligent and social animals such as elephants. These animals should not be kept in enclosures in which they can barely turn, with extremely limited social interactions (if any!) and working as slaves for humans from their birth to their death.
We therefore ask Germany to follow the lead of other European countries and end animal slavery now, banning animals for being used and abused in circuses.
Enough is Enough!