Studies have shown that travelling circuses cannot meet the physical and behavioural needs of wild animals. (Stock photo)

Fresh calls to ban wild animals in circuses

A circus elephant has fallen into an audience in Germany after being pushed to the edge by one of the other elephants.

Video footage captured the incident on Wednesday (4 July), which involved three elephants from Circus Krone.

Circus staff can be seen using bullhooks to control the elephants during the performance in Osnabrück.

None of the audience members were seriously injured, but one man is reported to have suffered minor leg abrasions.

The show is said to have resumed shortly after the elephant, Tompteusen (not pictured), was back on its feet.

Animal Defenders International (ADI) said the use of wild animals in circuses is “a recipe for disaster” and urged governments once again to ban the practice.

Studies have shown that travelling circuses cannot meet the physical and behavioural needs of wild animals, which often results in abnormal behaviours including rocking, swaying and pacing.

ADI argues that keeping large, stressed wild animals close to the public in lightweight enclosures presents inherent public safety and animal welfare issues.

Last month an elephant from the same circus escaped while it was performing in Neuwied and wandered the streets before being recaptured. A petition is also underway to ban wild animals in circuses after a road accident in Spain that involved five elephants from Circo Gottani.