ORGANISERS of a circus featuring wild animal acts which is due to be staged in Aberystwyth say they have had “overwhelming” support from people in the Cardigan area – despite calls for a boycott from an animal rights group.

Circus Mondao, whose animal stars include camels, reindeer, horses and llamas, say their twice-daily shows at Penparc attracted up to 300 spectators before they departed on Sunday.

Animal Defenders International, who called on locals to stay away, described the circus’ use of wild animal acts “an outdated practice which is overwhelmingly opposed by the public”.

Hitting back at the criticism ahead of the circus’ arrival in Aberystwyth today, ring mistress Petra Jackson said: “This was our fourth visit to Cardigan and we always look forward to coming here.

“It’s a rural community where people fully understand about animals and their welfare.

“The fact we’ve been drawing up to 300 spectators for our shows proves that people are using their brains and not believing all this stuff being spouted by the animal rights lobby and some newspapers."

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