A circus performing in Sydney has been forced to drop an act in which a woman swallows a live fish and then regurgitates it after the government said it breached animal protection laws.
Great Moscow Circus general manager Greg Hall said Wednesday the so-called “fountain act” was dropped on Monday after the New South Wales government told the circus of complaints about the welfare of animals.
The government said the act breaches the Exhibited Animals Protection Act.
Hall insisted that similar acts were performed in circuses around the world. He said the circus would revamp the act and not use live fish next time.
Animals Australia executive director Glenys Oogjes says scientific research showed fish were capable of suffering and were, therefore, protected under the Act.
Associated Press
