THIS horrifying circus footage shows a dolphin struggling to breathe as bears and other animals are forced to perform gymnastics – while the crowd takes selfies with them.
The sickening footage – taken by the charity Animals Asia – was taken at one of Indonesia’s travelling circuses, where dolphins are transported by plane in tiny crates.
The bear cycles past the stricken dolphin in a still from the harrowing footage
Staying out of the water for too long is damaging both physically and emotionally for dolphins
The dolphins in circuses have far shorter lifespans than those in the wild
Experts say dolphins run the risk of numerous harmful physical and psychological issues which can ultimately kill them if they stay out of the water for too long.
Animals Asia’s Animal Welfare Director Dave Neale said: “Although they are mammals and breathe air like humans, dolphins have not evolved to spend time out water.
“The lack of buoyancy can lead to pressure on the lungs, which can cause respiratory problems, and the rapid dehydration can have a negative impact on their skin.”
“In addition they are at risk of being scratched by uneven surfaces, and being exposed to chemicals that may have been used to clean surfaces.
“Add in all the noise – particularly from a circus setting – and you have a recipe for physical and psychological trauma which may be killing these highly complex animals.”
Visitors crowd around the dolphin, unaware of what it is going through
Indonesia’s three travelling circuses are thought to own around 70 dolphins. Footage has revealed that after each performance the animals are loaded onto planes and flown to the next location.
Animals Asia – along with Scorpion Foundation and Change for Animals Foundation – is petitioning local airline Sriwijawa Air to end their complicity with this animal cruelty and end the live dolphin flights.
So far nearly 25,000 animal lovers from around the world have added their names.
The latest footage was shot by Scorpion Foundation, thanks to funding from Animals Asia, at performances in East Java and West Sumatera earlier this month.
Trainers use cruelty to force the animals to perform tricks
Credit: Animals Asia
International NGO Dolphin Project claim dolphins at the circuses are believed to be dying around the age of five, while in the wild they can be expected to live until 30.Mr Neale said: “It’s hard to imagine a less suitable environment for dolphins. They are separated from their friends and family, forced to do tricks for food and must survive in the tiniest of pools.
“Once the show is over, it only gets worse. They are fished out of the water, strapped into a box and loaded onto a plane.
“Clearly, the last thing being taken into consideration in this situation is the welfare of the animals and the evidence suggests this cruelty is ultimately killing them.”
Yesterday it was reported police in Dubai arrested a man who posted a horrific viral video which shows him feeding a cat to his giant dog.
Cops arrested the fiend after he proudly published the sick clip on the internet to show how he punished the poor cat for eating one of his chickens.
