News for March 9, 2006
Circus elephants enjoy feast [02-23-2006]
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Several elephants were treated to a fancy lunch Thursday at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena.
Following a morning performance for local school children, elephants from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus chowed down on a lavish spread that included fruits, vegetables and bread courtesy of Levy Restaurants.
Carnival ordered to shut down [02-24-2006]
BEIJING, Feb. 24 — A carnival named “Happy” could not have chosen a less appropriate name.
Fuzhou Happy International Carnival, the first touring amusement event to come to the city, capital of East China’s Fujian Province, was ordered to shut down on Wednesday as it was operating illegally.
Despite claiming to be the city’s largest amusement park, the carnival, which opened January 14, did not even have a business licence, according to Fujian Provincial Administration for Industry and Commerce.
The park did not obtain approval from relevant departments concerning sanitation, environmental protection and public security, said Chen Zhanghua, an official with the bureau.
PETA Asks Indiana State Fairgrounds To Make Circus’ Visit Its Last In Light Of Deadly Animal Attacks [03-01-2006]
Press Release
Indianapolis, Ind.—This morning, PETA sent an urgent letter to Indiana State Fairgrounds Executive Director Cindy Hoye warning her that the upcoming Shrine Circus is both dangerous and cruel and urging her not to host circuses such as the Shrine Circus in the future. PETA points out that since 1997, there have been at least 10 dangerous incidents involving animals used in Shrine Circuses.Last year, a trainer was stomped to death by an elephant used in a Shrine Circus in Fort Wayne, Ind. In 2004, an elephant attacked an arena worker following a Shrine Circus performance in El Paso, Texas. In 2002 and again in 2003, elephants bolted from Shrine Circus tents and went on rampages in Wisconsin and Michigan, respectively. In other incidents at Shrine Circuses, a circusgoer was bitten on the face by a chimpanzee, the tip of a 2-year-old girl’s finger was bitten off by a bear, and a tiger who had been allowed near children later killed two people.
Trunk call saves circus elephants [03-04-2006]
Firefighters were called in to help hydrate two thirsty circus elephants after their drinking water froze.
Members of the Ozzz Circus, currently in Omagh, woke up on Thursday morning to find that, after the frosty night, their entire water supply had frozen over, leaving them - and their animals - with nothing to drink.
The two African elephants, which weigh about 12 and a half tonnes, were particularly affected as they need to drink 500 litres of water every morning.
So a fire crew were called in to provide water to the drought- stricken animals.
JanErik Brenner, company manager of Circus Ozzz, said the arrival of the firecrew stopped staff heading to the nearest supermarket to buy out the shop’s supply of water.
“We woke up on Thursday morning to find that the tank of water had completely frozen over, so we called in the Fire Service,” he said.
“All of us and the outside animals were all affected, but the elephants particularly like to stick to their routine, and like to drink their water every morning.
“They can actually drink up to 1000 litres of water a day so we really need to get them that water.”
Carnival attendees celebrate Purim [03-06-2006]
KINGSTON — More than 100 people got a jump start on their Purim festivities Sunday during a carnival at Congregation Agudas Achim.
Groups of youngsters could be seen running around the synagogue during the first Purim Carnival, which was sponsored by Chabad Lubavitch of Ulster County. The event featured games, food and a petting zoo.
“I went to the petting zoo and rode a pony,” 8-year-old Jordana Maidenbaum said. “I really liked getting my face painted. My favorite was when I gave my mom a candygram.”
Purim, which takes place March 13-14, celebrates the Jews’ ability to survive a plot calling for their extermination in ancient Persia.
The plot was orchestrated by Haman, who was the king’s adviser. The Jews were saved when Esther, herself a Jew and the wife of the king, told the king of the adviser’s plot against her people.
Many of the activities at Sunday’s carnival centered around the story, with games such as “Bowl over Haman” and “Pin the crown on Esther.” Children were also encouraged to dress in costumes. People who provided entertainment at the event, including professional clown Cecilia St. King and workers from the Catskill Equestrian Center, did so as volunteers.
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