Protest planned against Jumbo's treatment

A group of animal rights activists will protest against the treatment of Jumbo the elephant when the travelling Loritz Circus arrives in Dunedin for shows next month.

The 35-year-old elephant is due to take a small part in shows in Mosgiel from April 1-5, followed by performances at the Oval in Dunedin over Easter.

The elephant's appearances were allowed after the Dunedin City Council earlier this month granted a special exemption from a bylaw banning exotic animals from land owned by the council.

The move angered some city councillors and members of the Save Animals from Exploitation (Safe) animal rights group.

Speaking at yesterday's council public forum, Safe Dunedin co-ordinator Genevieve Robinson said the organisation was "not against the circus itself", but wanted the council's bylaw enforced.

The group argued Jumbo was exhibiting signs of "psychological distress" by swaying, and it wanted the animal released from the circus and rehoused with other elephants, she said.

However, with the council's exemption already granted, Safe wanted the bylaw enforced for future circus visits to Dunedin, Ms Robinson said.

"We believe that the Dunedin City Council and Dunedin as a city need to help get Jumbo out of her horrible situation and send a strong message to the circus that they aren't welcome while they still have the elephant."

Ms Robinson told the Otago Daily Times some of the group's 2000-strong national membership and supporters would protest against Jumbo's treatment in Mosgiel and at the Oval.

A protest against the elephant's treatment was held when the circus visited Queenstown in January.

However, Cr Neil Collins disagreed with yesterday's presentation, telling Ms Robinson: "You may as well call yourself the fun police".

"[Jumbo] is just a lovely, friendly elephant the kids like to come and see when they go to the circus."