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This Circus Uses Holograms Instead Of Live Animals To Prevent Mistreatment

Circuses have long used animals in their shows to entertain and dazzle audiences with their awe-inspiring tricks. But these animals who are forced to perform are often severely brutalized and abused at the hands of their trainers and captors.

In order to force these animals to act in ways which they normally wouldn't (e.g. jumping through hoops, balancing on pedestals, etc.), trainers use extreme means of force, such as electric prods, whips, and bull hooks.

Animals who perform in circuses are also subject to living in terrible conditions.

Unsplash | sergio souza

While not performing or training, circus animals like elephants, tigers, and horses, are forced to live chained up in cramped conditions. If the circus is traveling, they live in trailers or trucks.

One circus in Germany has taken a huge step to avoid mistreating animals for the purpose of entertaining humans.

Instagram | @circustheaterroncalli

According to Smithsonian Magazine, Circus Roncalli is the first in the history of circuses and the first in the world to replace live animals with electronic holograms.

Circus Roncalli isn't a new circus, but it is revolutionizing the way circuses are performed.

Instagram | @circustheaterroncalli

This decades-old show uses 11 projectors, lasers, and lenses placed strategically around the venue in order to create the most satisfying show possible for viewers without subjecting any animals to mistreatment or abuse.

Using the holographic computer technology, the circus can put on a visually stunning show for audiences.

YouTube | Optoma EMEA

They aren't limited to what regular animals' abilities are, and they certainly aren't limited by any species of animal, either. The show features the more traditional performers, like elephants, tiger, and horses, but also feature much more non-traditional animals as well, like fish, all performing acrobatic stunts on stage.

Making the switch from live animals to holograms doesn't seem to have affected the circus audience's enjoyment at all.

In fact, people interviewed seem to have been dazzled by the spectacular light and laser show they got to witness without having missed the experience of watching live animals go against their own nature and perform for humans.

So there really doesn't seem to be much of a downside here at all for anyone involved.

Instagram | @circustheaterroncalli

People are able to still get their money's worth out of a fantastic circus show without any animals needing to be abused in order to be declared "entertaining."

Now if only more circuses would follow suit and adopt the animal-friendly hologram style of performing, too.

h/t: Smithsonian Magazine

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