For immediate release:
August 24, 2021
Contact:
David Pearl 202-483-7382
New Iberia, Louisiana. – In light of a new federal inspection report showing that a tiger exhibitor for Jordan World Circus was found keeping big cats in cramped cages in a stuffy, maggot-infested shed – and since the elephants recently used by Jordan World were tough, slow, and lame, likely , due to their years of incessant travel and long time in shackles on their feet – PETA sent an urgent letter today to SugArena manager Laurie LeBlanc asking to ban Jordan World from using animals on their September 7 show.
“Tiger exhibitor Jordan World kept the big cats like luggage in a smelly, maggot-infested shed,” said Rachel Matthews, director of PETA’s Animal Captivity Enforcement Administration. “PETA urges SugArena to have a heart and demand a circus without animals because good people don’t want wild animals to be used as puppets.”
PETA, whose motto is in part that “the animals are not ours to be used for entertainment” – opposes arrogance, a worldview focused on human superiority. For more information please visit PETA.org or subscribe to the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram…
This is followed by PETA’s letter to LeBlanc.
August 24, 2021
Laurie LeBlanc
Arena manager
SugArena
Dear Ms. LeBlanc!
I am writing again on behalf of PETA with compelling evidence of neglect associated with the infamous Jordan World Circus, which is set to exploit big cats and elephants at SugArena next month. We urge you to ban the circus from using animals in its upcoming performances. immediately…
A new federal inspection report showed circus exhibitor Adam Burke has been keeping animals like old equipment in cramped travel boxes since at least the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector found the cages in a stuffy, maggot-infested shed where the tigers could not escape the heat and stench. A bony elderly tiger named Shere Khan had not received veterinary care for over a year, and the animals walked around, nervous and agitated.
There are also serious concerns about the well-being of the elephants that Jordan World recently used, including Janice, Cindy, and Betty, who were provided by the Cardin family. These animals age, and constant travel and prolonged exposure to chains takes their toll on their joints. They are often forced to perform and skate, even if they seem stiff, slow, or lame, and coaches use threats and intimidation to control them.
Circuses should be fun for everyone, but they are miserable for tigers forced to jump through hoops and elephants chained to dark, cramped trailers. Now hundreds of places and dozens of communities prohibit or restrict movement using animals. Animal cruelty circuses are closing, while modern circuses amaze audiences only human performers.
Could you make animal welfare and public safety a priority by banning animal action in Jordan World?
Yours sincerely,
Melanie Johnson
Manager
Animals in Entertainment Campaign