Animal rights activists recently came to blows with the members of Akef Egyptian Circus while campaigning to drive them out of Zimbabwe. They alleged that the circus was just a camouflage for carrying on smuggling of endangered species. The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals tried to seize three dying pythons from the circus. Animal rights activists have been tracing the circus' movements in Africa for the last five years. They suspect the circus is a link through which chimpanzees, pythons, falcons, gray parrots and may be even lion cubs are smuggled from the central African jungles to private zoos in Saudi Arabia or laboratories in the US and Europe. Despite stringent laws regarding endangered species, smuggling goes on unhampered. The activists are particularly concerned about the smuggling of chimpanzees, as for every baby chimpanzee captured, 10 adults, who rush for its rescue, are also killed.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.