circuses aren't for the animals

Surprise, surprise - researchers have found that wild animals don't do well in circuses. They don't get the right kinds of activity to keep them healthy and happy, they don't have the right kind of environmental stimuli and conditions or the right social interaction, and travel is detrimental to their overall well-being.

To be fair, this article, though posted at New Scientist, comes from a journal titled Animal Welfare, so it's bound to be more favourable to this kind of assessment. But that doesn't mean the research - from the University of Bristol - isn't valid. Such conclusions have been persuasive enough for Austria to ban the use of wild animals in circuses apparently, though other countries have been slow to follow suit.

Cirque de Soleil's more to my taste anyway, if not my budget...

skip the circus - go see Virgin Black instead

Virgin Black is coming to Ontario for the first time, playing shows in London (June 18 at the Embassy) and Toronto (June 19 at the Metal Bar), and we KEEW folks think this is grounds for some pre-show celebrating.

So this Saturday, June 16 we're featuring Virgin Black, Virgin Black and more Virgin Black. Hear songs from the new album, Requiem - mezzo forte, plus some of our favourite tracks from the band's back catalogue and an interview with vocalist/keyboardist/composer Rowan London. Don't miss it!

Listening to Virgin Black on Kill Eat Exploit the Weak, and checking the band out live next week, is a much better way to spend your time than watching animals being exploited for profit and questionable entertainment as the circus swings through Ontario this month. Human-only circuses are fascinating. Circuses with animals are disgusting. Save your money, or donate it to a worth animal protection organization instead.