Following their own annual tradition, members of the Collectif Animalier du 06 Association held a small demonstration Saturday just over the border in Cap d’Ail to protest against the use of animals in circuses.

Despite the rain, Hugo Drouard, Christian Razeau, Martine Zorilli and Anne-Marie Mariani handed out leaflets from 12:15 pm to 5 pm with the slogan “Wild animals are not slave animals”.

“The circus is human greed based on animal maltreatment,” the collective claims. “Imagine the life of these animals. There is no beauty in stolen freedom.”

The 41st Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival, which ended last week, featured a number of acts in which animals performed, including camels, elephants, lions and tigers. Proponents of the Circus Festival, which is presided over by HSH Princess Stephanie, claim that no cruelty is involved.

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