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- What should I know? A circus that features elephants will perform five shows in Raleigh this weekend.
- What should I share with family and friends? Some North Carolina cities, including Chapel Hill, ban exotic circus animals because of alleged mistreatment and inhumane conditions.
In the middle of her bath, Viola heard a truck backfire and got scared.
The 10,000-pound Asian elephant took off from her circus handler, stopping traffic while running down a busy street in a Montana town earlier this year.
Now imagine that happening in Raleigh, said Cindy Lowe.
“Instances like these cause public uproar, lawsuits and costly damages,” she said. “So imagine the implications of a circus elephant running loose on Capital Boulevard.”
‘This industry is inhumane’
A Florida-based circus will arrive in Raleigh this weekend featuring elephants and other animals. Lowe, along with others, plan to protest. And, on Tuesday, she called on city leaders to fully ban exotic animals in circuses in the city.
“It brings people into dangerously close proximity to wild animals that are under extreme stress and forced into hyper-stimulating environments,” Lowe said. “This industry is inhumane, severely outdated, and I am formally asking this council to set a full ban on performances with exotic animals.”
Animals, once a staple of the circus, are now controversial as advocacy groups raise awareness about animal mistreatment and inhumane conditions.
“Animals are confined in small spaces, deprived of physical and social needs, spending excessive amounts of time shut in trailers,” according to a news release from Animal Defenders International, a nonprofit that is calling for audiences to skip the Raleigh shows.
“These animals are often seen behaving abnormally; rocking, swaying and pacing, all indicating that they are in distress and not coping with their environment,” the release stated. “ADI’s video evidence has shown how these animals are forced to perform tricks through physical violence, fear and intimidation.”
‘Best, loving care’
Loomis Bros. Circus did not respond to a phone call or email from The News & Observer on Tuesday.
Elephants, dogs, ponies, zebras and camels are featured in the two-hour show, according to the circus’ website and social media advertisements for the coming Raleigh stop at the Hunt Horse Complex at the N.C. State Fairgrounds.
“Our show is presented in the traditional circus format, but with a modern twist. We are the only circus in North America to feature Three Rings, Exotic Animals AND Live Music,” according to the circus website. “All our animal performers receive the best, loving care — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”
The fairgrounds are a state-owned property that makes money through rentals, including events like the circus.
“Any decision on behalf of the State not to allow exotic animals would need to occur at the NC Legislature,” said Andrea Ashby, director of the N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services public affairs division. “N.C. State Fair is a public facility and because renting the buildings and grounds is part of the business model, rentals are open for events based on availability, including a circus.”
Circus animals are inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but the fairgrounds does have a veterinarian who observes the animals in the circus and reviews their federal paperwork, including health certificates, she said.
Banned in other locations
The circus is finishing up its tour outside Charlotte in Concord before arriving in Raleigh on Friday for five shows over the weekend.
Charlotte, Asheville, Chapel Hill and Orange County are some of the North Carolina jurisdictions that have banned exotic animals in traveling circuses.
Banning circus animals didn’t come up when the city of Raleigh drafted its wild, dangerous animal rules after a zebra cobra escaped from a northwest Raleigh home in 2020. Those rules went into effect in 2023 with animal owners registering three monkeys , two marmosets and a Rhesus Macaque, and a 15-year-old bobcat named BB with the city.
Circuses are a long-time tradition and are often enjoyed by children and their families, said Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin before the Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. She said she’d need more information before asking the city to change its rules.
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