Jumbo protest planned

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Semi-retired but still on the road, 35-year-old pachyderm circus veteran Jumbo the elephant chomps her way through bales of hay in the Queenstown Primary School grounds on Wednesday. Photo by Felisity Wolfe.

• Circus leaves big impression [2]

Christchurch-based Save Animals From Experiments (Safe) campaign officer Sacha Dowell said about 15 people would protest outside Loritz Circus tents in the Queenstown Primary School from 12.45pm to raise awareness of an animal exhibiting "stereotypic" symptoms of "psychological distress".

"Jumbo sways back and forth. . . that is behaviour not seen in the wild," Ms Dowell said.

She said the group had tried working with the circus to find options for Jumbo, a female African elephant, but the circus was more interested in making money from Jumbo.

"They won't release her without a significant payment," she said.

Loritz Circus marketing manager Paul Johnson said he was disappointed with the group's repeated protests around the country, as the circus had tried to work with the group to ensure the best outcome for Jumbo.

Mr Johnson said he met Safe management to work on a plan for Jumbo's future.

He told the Otago Daily Times the sanctuary option remained open.

Mr Johnson said Loritz was bringing out a Kenyan elephant specialist to assess Jumbo over three months and "de-bond" her from her owner.

After that, the circus would consider sanctuary options.

He said Jumbo had faced a potentially "sad future" before being taken in by Loritz Circus 18 months ago.

Illness forced her owner Tony Radcliffe to think about giving her up but he said he could not afford to send her to an Australian sanctuary.

Instead, Loritz built Jumbo a $300,000 home which, Mr Johnson said, exceeded SPCA, Maf and government specifications.

Mr Johnson said Safe and other groups helped put together those specifications and said if they had a problem with Jumbo's ongoing treatment they should contact the circus again.

The trailer included a shower to wash her down and companionship with the miniature ponies in the back, he said.

She can lie down in it and air suspension gave her a "very soft ride" when travelling, he added.

Ms Dowell said Jumbo spent much of her day in the trailer - which Mr Johnson said was her choice.

Safe protesters said she was mistreated after photographing Jumbo tethered last year but Mr Johnson said the tether was padded and used for both Jumbo's and the public's safety.