BOOKINGS for Lennon Bros Circus shows in Wodonga have jumped since publicity over a potential ban from council land in the city.
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The circus has come under fire for its performing lions with Wodonga Council officers to do a report on the future use of municipal land by those with exotic animals.
But Lennon Bros on-site manager Warren Lennon said the debate had drawn more patrons.
“We’ve had a spike in our bookings, so people are coming to have a look for themselves,” he said.
“It’s actually helped our business, it’s gone up 30 per cent on what it was last week.”
Mr Lennon said a report, done with the Circus Federation of Australia, would be submitted to Wodonga Council defending animal welfare measures.
Meanwhile, animal lover Lauren Ridley has attracted more than 1440 signatures to a Change.Org petition she started to have circuses with exotic animals banned from Wodonga.
“I don’t think people are entitled to view exotic animals in a circus,” she said.
“Everyone is under the impression it’s always been that way, so why change it, but maybe it should never have been that way.”
Ms Ridley said a number of vegans had pushed to demonstrate outside the Lennon Bros big top.
“There were a group that wanted to protest outside the front of the circus, but it’s not the way to do it...because that’s not going to make a difference,” she said.
“We’ve got to go through the council.”
A Wodonga resident, Ms Ridley helps at the Kangaloola Wildlife Shelter and volunteered her services at a conversation lodge in South Africa that assists lions, cheetahs and tigers.
She witnessed Monday night’s council debate which saw councillor Ron Mildren suggest there was no difference between the way animals are treated in a petting zoo compared to a circus.
“I believe if the animals are not treated well in a petting zoo that needs to be looked at as well, everything needs to be covered off,” Ms Ridley said.