Animal rights were in the spotlight over the weekend with protesters demanding lions were "not born to perform."
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On October 19 activists gathered outside Stardust Circus in Moss Vale to protest the use of exotic animals for human entertainment.
READ MORE: Activists call for end to animal circuses
A spokesperson from the group said there was a lot of support from passing traffic and the activists felt they got their message out.
The spokesperson said the only incident occurred when a driver "seriously swerved at the protesters in a four wheel drive."
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In a previous interview with The Southern Highland News Stardust Circus ringmaster Adam St James said the industry had done nothing wrong.
"We are doing everything we can for these animals to make sure they have a happy life," he said.
"We are a regulated industry and Australia has the strictest circus regulations of any country around the world."
The ringmaster said the animals couldn't be released into the wild as they were accustomed to human care.
The protest follows the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into exotic animals in entertainment. The inquiry was established on September 26 to inquire and report on the use of exotic animals in circuses and the exhibition of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) in New South Wales.
The inquiry will consider:
- whether breeding practices of exotic animals and cetaceans should continue for use in circuses and exhibition,
- if the use of exotic animals in circuses and cetaceans for exhibition should be phased out, and
- if there should be other legislative or regulatory action taken in this area.
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