Saskatchewan edition of Shrine Circus chooses horses over exotic animals

REGINA – Exotic animals including lions, tigers and elephants will no longer be part of the Shrine Circus in Saskatchewan.

Spokesman Stuart Larson says the non-profit organization has been getting negative feedback about its use of exotic animals for the last decade.

He says instead the circus will use horses in an “equestrian-based Cirque du Soleil-style performance” which includes aerial acts, comedy, music and theatrics.

Larson says they are the first group in Canada to make the move.

The general Shrine Circus website still lists performing elephants as part of its 2016 touring show, including for dates in Ontario.

Larson says the Shriners have always had faith that the animals used in the circus acts were well treated, and welcomed humane societies and animal protection agencies to do random checks.

But he says there was feedback from people that they would prefer to see a show without elephants.

“The last couple of years we’ve been thinking about going a different direction with it, so this year we’ve decided it was time to do that,” he says. “If you want to move forward in this business, then you have to evolve and it’s very important to us that our people have a great time and they’re happy with the product.”

He says considering Saskatchewan’s agricultural history, horses were thought to be a good fit for a family show.

(CJME, CKRM)