Nutrition of animals used in circuses is being hugely affected by sluggish business. Circus owners believe that with little interest left among the public, circus could bid goodbye after few years with animals first to lose their place.
The government ban on exhibition of wild animals in circuses has not led to the death of means of entertainment but it has pinched hard to the owners. In the absence of lions and tigers, animals like elephants, horses, dogs and birds are being used these days as substitute to entertain the audiences.
“Half of the large circus companies in India have winded up in the last ten years and the existing ones are on the verge of shutting down. Although we are making all possible effort to keep these animals healthy but it doesn’t seem we will be able to continue this for long,” said owner of Empire Circus J Raj who has been running the circus in the city at Shaheed maidan near Vidhan Sabha.
For maintaining the animals, the circus owner’s expenditure exceeds Rs 40,000 a day excluding the other expenditure like providing them vaccines, monthly medical check-up. On elephants alone over Rs 25,000 expenditure incurred, on the tiny dogs it takes around Rs 15,000 and on horses and birds the expense is around Rs 10,000.
Besides, six staffs are appointed for upkeep and safety of the animals. According to the current regulation of Central Zoo Authority, it is illegal to subject the captive animals to any form of physical treatment so as to subject it to unnecessary pain and sufferings. “It is a costly venture to maintain circus animals as per the guidelines of central government. We are bound to follow it else will be put behind the bars. Currently, somehow, we are trying to manage the circus but the future looks glim,” said Empire Circus managing team member KD Roy.
According to Roy circus make good collection for shows during winters (from October- February) but get poor return during summer and rainy seasons. As they move place to place for performance they face peculiar problems.
“The popularity of circus has got badly affected with the Government ban as the animals use to be the star performance at the show. Moreover, advent of new forms of entertainment has also lowered its craze. If the scenario continues than circus will get limited in books only,” added Roy.