After a tumultuous few days following an uproar over animal welfare concerns after the McLaren Circus rolled into town and their permit was suspended, it seems the show will go on after the City reinstated their permit.
Just 24 hours after the City of Cape Town suspended the company’s permit to operate shows in Muizenberg, following an inspection by the Cape of Good Hope’s SPCA’s officials, the circus’s permit has been reinstated.
The suspension came into effect on Tuesday when McLaren was meant to host its first show.
“The City had withdrawn the permit after the SPCA issued the circus with a notice with alleged contraventions of the Animals Protection Act,” the City said in a statement.
“The reinstated permit has been issued subject to compliance with the conditions set out by the SPCA,” it continued.
Chief inspector of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, Jaco Pieterse, said they were disappointed that the permit had been reinstated.
“The City of Cape Town has not advised us on this, even though we have been communicating with them daily on this issue,” he said.
He added: “We heard via the circus that the permit has been reinstated. We had to contact a City official for confirmation that the permit had been reinstated.”
Pieterse said the official they had contacted informed them that the permit had been reinstated with conditions.
“They added that the circus must comply with the points mentioned in the warning issued by the SPCA on March 28, 2022,” he said.
“We can confirm that the circus has not yet fully complied with the warning issued on March 28. A further warning has subsequently been issued to the circus. This followed an inspection accompanied by an independent wildlife veterinarian whereby several animal welfare concerns were raised.”
The McLaren Circus shared a post on their Facebook page that they were happy to announce that their permit had been reinstated.
“Shows will commence from 7.30pm (Wednesday) evening. We look forward to entertaining you all,” the post said.
In a statement released on Wednesday night, circus owner, David McLaren, thanked those who showed up for the first day of shows after their permit was reinstated.
"After contacting the City of Cape Town, with important questions regarding information pertaining to the withdrawal of our event permit on (Tuesday), the City reinstated our permit, without answer, but with additional conditions to our event," he said.
"My team has subsequently requested feedback on certain conditions,to avoid any non-compliance. The City will respond in due course."
McLaren said the circus does not deny their animals access to water, food or the right to socialise with each other.
"Our pride of lions are accustomed to living with one another. This habitual presence adds to their environmental enrichment. We do always monitor our animals and take temporary measures when signs of social conflict present."
"I have been made aware that animal welfare organisations have teamed up with animal rights organisations to continue the smear campaign and witch hunt against my circus," he said.
He added: "I have now realised that they will stop at nothing, but I trust our compliance and hard work overpowers those that may attempt to abuse their powers."
*This story has been updated