Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Surprise, surprise, Saigon has made headlines once again. For those unfamiliar to the Saigon saga, here is a (as short as possible) re cap.
Sadly,Saigon became the last elephant travelling with an Australian circus following the death of Minyak (aged 70 years approx.) in December 2009. The Herald Sun featured a story on Saigon ("Our saddest elephant" Jan 30th 2010).The accompanying photo showed Saigon playing with her chain - she uses it to scratch herself. What followed after that publication is what I can only describe as something I hope no other living sole has to endure.
I have witnessed firsthand the very worst of mankind. A campaign ensued to have Saigon removed from us. Advertisements in newspaper and pamphlets were circulated telling people to boycott my family's business. Abuse in the shape of phone calls (at all hours) emails and threats -you name it, my family copped it all. All of this from so called animal lovers.
Experts from Melbourne Zoo were called in, Government Ministers got involved and Saigon is still with us.
This brings me to her latest media headline. Our circus is set up in Cheltenham and during the past couple of weeks we have experienced heavy rain. This site has become a boggy mess. Locals tell me that they have never seen anything like it. We chose to remove Saigon from the site on 14th June, not because of the mud (she loved it) but because of the heavy rain and cold wind. Her 200m2 tent (which she could access at anytime) was filled with woodchips and mulch to keep her try under foot.
I was contacted by the Bayside Leader after they had received complaints from some locals regarding Saigon. I answered the questions that came my way. Their front page story today is - you guessed it - Saigon. The headline "RSPCA slams circus." The caption accompanying the photo (yes there is a caption this time around) is "Saigon the elephant left standing in the mud on a wintry Melbourne day."
And so it begins again....
In all seriousness, my family and I have come to the conclusion that until the time Saigon leaves this earth we will always be targets for criticism and if that is the cost of doing the right thing by our elephant - well so be it. Earlier in the year there was whinging because Saigon was standing in a "dustbowl of vacant land" and now because she was standing in mud. Damned if we do, damned if we don't.
Earlier, I said I have witnessed the worst of mankind well; thankfully I've also witnessed the very best as well. From the complete strangers we now call friends that have added their voices to defend Saigon, to our wonderful friends and family - you are all priceless.
To the locals here in Cheltenham (home to the Perry family for many years) thank you for your over whelming support of our circus. To those that have donated mulch, spare pony rugs and baked cakes a sincere thank you for your thoughtfulness and generosity. It is truly heart warming to see the Aussie spirit of giving everyone a fair go, alive and well in many people in this community. There is one gentleman who took the time to speak to me on site regarding Saigon rather than believe the negative stories- if only there were more people in the world like Derek.
I would like everyone to consider this; my family have been in this industry for around 150 years. We have put up with much in the pursuit of earning a living and bringing joy to peoples' lives. I see prejudice towards circus people on a daily basis. Whether it be from councils who won't hire sites for us to perform on or from the general public who report us to the RSPCA for having animals on a muddy location (there are plenty of cows, sheep and horses standing in those same conditions on the out skirts of Melbourne but no front page story or people demanding those animals be removed from their owners). Why?
At the end of the day, my family are doing the very best we can under our current conditions. I say walk a mile in our shoes to anyone who wants to criticise.
Yasmin Brophy
6th Generation
Perry family member
Sunday, 14 March 2010
And so the Animals Australia campaign rolls on...
For the record, I was contacted by Glenys Oogjes (Executive Director of Animals Australia) earlier this week and during the course of this heated conversation she requested I put in writing that my elephant Saigon, was remaining at my property for good. I told her I would do no such thing.
The fact is, we were home having a couple of weeks break as a member of my family was unwell. Saigon and my other animals were with us - the same as they are every time we are home.
My circus - including Saigon, is now setting up in Bayswater as advertised.
Since the Animals Australia campaign started, my family and I have been lied to, lied about, misquoted, harassed, spied upon, threatened, abused and seen our reputation and good name (one that has been associated with entertainment in Australia since the mid 1800's) defamed around the world.
Those responsible for the information on the Animals Australia website have a lot to answer for.
Winston Churchill once said, "A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on."
Well, truth now not only has its pants on - it's wearing a suit and tie as well.
Lorraine Maynard
Hardly a "barren enclosure" - Saigon, Ginny, Sheba and Minyak.
Taken in Lismore Vic. March 2004
Saigon doesn't lack for companionship
as seen here with one of her mates - Sahara. Taken at Yarra Glen, September. 2008
Beautiful setting, Taken at Marysville, January 2008
Yes, like humans elephants sleep too. Taken at Baxter, February 2008
Ladies and Gentlemen
Ever since the Herald Sun featured an article regarding our elephant Saigon (January 30, 2010), we have received calls from individuals to find her a new home. I believe some of these people are genuine, decent people who believe in their hearts they are doing the right thing, while there are others that are not worth even mentioning, this is my opinion (one I feel entitled to have) seeing as how everyone has been having theirs lately.
The reason I am putting words to paper is not just to release the anger and annoyance I feel towards these people but also to expose the truth - something that seems to have gotten lost along the way. Unfortunately, I have that much to say I am finding it difficult to find a starting point.
Why don't we give Saigon away?
She doesn't perform anymore. Look at the money we would save:
- no food bills
- fuel to transport her
- registration on truck and trailer
- insurance
Well my answer is plain and simple. Saigon is loved by this family. It is our responsibility to look after her. Saigon's welfare is, has been and will always be our top priority. Money is no object when it comes to her well being.
People are calling on experts to have their say. Who is considered an expert? Well, if you could read some of the comments I've read in the past few weeks you would believe the world is full of them. I ask, who better to understand the needs of this individual elephant than the people who have contact with her every day of her life - the same people that have cared for her for most of her life? Are they considered experts?
I've read that we are only keeping Saigon to generate business- to make money off of her. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact in 2008 we were offered the sum of two million dollars for Saigon and Minyak (who sadly passed away in December 2009 aged approx. 70 years).
Why didn't we accept this offer?
That's easy - we were not interested. Our elephants are priceless.
To all the pet owners , I wonder how you would feel if suddenly one of your two beloved dogs, cats birds etc. passed away and people who you have never met in your life started telling you to get rid of your remaining animal and how horrid and cruel you were for keeping it. I bet you would tell them to go to hell and mind their own business - I'm not comparing elephants to any other animal but the sentiment is the same.
You know what I find really strange? The Herald Sun has featured our elephants in past publications without causing even a whisper from the public. Our circus has played venues in and around Melbourne over the past 20 years - constantly in the public eye. We now have people concerned that Saigon is stressed by traffic noise and harassed by the constant public attention. Where were these concerned citizens when we last appeared in their suburb? No one seemed concerned that there were two elephants last time that were supposedly suffering this torment.
Maybe they didn't notice them. Just like the people who don't bother to notice that Saigon does have shade and water but would rather waste the RSPCA's time and send their officers out on false reports. Wrong.
We have been accused of not considering Saigon's needs - wrong again. I do wonder though if the people signing petitions to have her removed from us really have considered her at all. If she were to be relocated would they all bother to see how she was doing from time to time or would it be a case of out of sight out of mind?
Would they all feel some responsibility if Saigon suffered separation stress? Worse, what if she was injured by other elephants? Has anyone taken these possibilities into account?
Animals in their natural habitat - what a truly wonderful thought but sadly an unrealistic one. Mans greed and uncaring nature has taken away what God provided. The Asian elephant is an endangered species - and not because of circuses. I find comfort in the knowledge that Saigon won't have to endure starvation due to habitat loss, risk getting culled or lose a limb thanks to a landmine (like Motala and many other Thai elephants.)
For nearly 100 years, my family have been honoured and privileged to have the experience of living with many different elephants and I consider them to be one of the most intelligent animals on earth. My personal response to all the so called "voices for Saigon" is shut up - you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. You're all emotional about an animal that you've never even met - now times the way you feel by 1000. Doesn't come anywhere near the way I feel.
I'll finish as I started - not to change opinions but to tell the truth.
I only wish everyone would do the same.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Lorraine Maynard
P.S
A sincere thank you to all our extended family, friends (old and new), fellow circus folk and members of the public for your support. Keep up the good fight.
Support Saigon by signing her petition click here
