Short Review on the Existing Animals in ‘The Great Rowshan Circus’ of Bangladesh

Department of Biology, Cantonment Public College, Saidpur Cantonment—5311, Nilphamari, Bangladesh

*Corresponding author: Ashraful Kabir, Department of Biology, Cantonment Public College, Saidpur Cantonment—5311, Nilphamari, Bangladesh, Phone: +88-01712563750; E-mail: [email protected]

Received Date: July 21, 2025

Published Date: October 14, 2025

Citation: Kabir A. (2025). Short Review on the Existing Animals in ‘The Great Rowshan Circus’ of Bangladesh. Mathews J Vet Sci. 9(6):85.

Copyrights: Kabir A. © (2025).

ABSTRACT

The Great Rowshan Circus’ team of Saidpur is performing their various acts with animals from 1965. In this satellite world, this type of live circus is totally different to the people. Trained workers of the circus team and animal trainer show their unbelievable acts. Watchers of this circus delivered huge information especially the act of domestic animals. Circus team is not allowed to show wild animals but domestic animals (German spitz and domestic horse). In wild animal, only Asian elephant that was hired from the concerned authority for a short time. Veterinarian is appointed to this circus team to treat these animals. Dysentery and colic pain were the common ailments of animals. This review was conducted in the year 2024.

Keywords: Domestic Horse, Asian Elephant, German Spitz, Rowshan Circus, Wildlife Act, Saidpur, Bangladesh.

INTRODUCTION

Circus tradition in Bangladesh is ancient. There are more than eight circus team in Bangladesh where ‘The Rowshan’ and ‘The Lion’ circus is more renowned [1]. A circus team is considered a travelling company all over the world that may include clowns, acrobats, acts, music, hoppers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists, and animal acts. Sometimes, circuses were often a combination of menagerie where animals such as lion and elephant from time to time appeared in the ring. There are many circus-related movies like ‘The Circus (1928)’, directed by Sir Charlie Chaplin and others were Circus (1936), The Greatest Show on Earth (1952), The Big Circus (1959), Jumbo Circus (1962), Water for Elephants (2011), and Big Fish (2003). In this field, Bangladesh has a very long history of the traditional circus. Animal trainer of the circus team is a common occupation. At this satellite world, the circus tradition is going to extinct. Sometimes, some acrobatics of people are so risky that they may fall death anytime. Additionally, sometimes, wild animals are found in the circus team that is totally prohibited. The objective of this study is to make sure not to use wild animals in the circus team.

Animals in ‘Rowshan Circus’

This circus is performing their acts all the year round. Circus team is like nomads. Domestic animals like horse and German spitz were available in any market of Bangladesh. Sometimes, hired Asian Elephant can be seen in circus team. Experienced animal trainer is important to handle all animals in circus team. Domestic dogs were vaccinated by the veterinary physician routinely for the safety to rabies.

Animal encounters in world’s circus team

After the human civilization, they dominated all living creatures in this world [2]. Ancient movies on circus actually focused the condition of animals. ‘Axel Gautier’ was an elephant trainer and he died by his elephant [3]. A report showed that from 1978 to 2001, animal incidents were happened in Florida, New York, California, and Moscow. While continuing the circus in England and Pennsylvania, animal trainers killed by elephants, 3 were bit by bear, 16 injured, 3 attacked. On the other hand, this report suggested that 8 elephants, 2 bears, 1 Arabian horse, and 1 donkey were killed by police due to threatened to human (updated news, 2001). Most elephant attacks were found in the USA, Florida (10) and less (1) in India and Bangladesh during the year from 1950 to 2005, where 18 people killed by elephant, 15 elephants killed by people for their attacking behavior to people, 1 lion killed due to elephant attack, 4 complete attacks, and 26 people were injured [3].

Table 1. Existing animals in Rowshan Circus

Either domestic or wild, animals in circus team are tortured by whip while performing. These acts are completely disobeyed the animal rights [4]. We should show affection to animals and stop cruelty [5]. When we will deduct all animals either domestic or wild, bad incidents will not be happened. Not only circus team but also to our domestic animals, should take proper care. Due to wildlife act, now ‘The Rowshan Circus’ is totally prohibited with wild animals but they have few domestic animals. Both Asian and African elephants are banned by CITES in 1990 [6].

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

None.  

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.

REFERENCES

1. Kabir MA. (2013). Circus tradition of Bangladesh and fate in its animals. South Pacific Journal of Pharma and Bio Science. (1):51-57.
2. Coe JC. (1999). Increasing affiliation behavior between zoo animals and zoo visitors. AZA Convention Proceedings, American Zoo and Aquarium Association, Silver Spring. pp. 216-220.
3. Circus and ride elephant. See-incident; incidents; lawsuits filed; lawsuit file-child’s family Circus in the city.
4. Kabir A. (2020). Animal update in the Great Rowshan Circus of Bangladesh. International Journal of Research Studies in Zoology. 6(1):20-22.
5. Kabir MA. (2016). Human cruelty and love to animals. International Journal of Research Studies in Zoology. 2(2):1-8.
6. Updated March. (2001). Animals and people at the circus: accidents, attacks, animal abuse, and other incidents. The Human Society of the United States, 2100 L Street, NW, Washington DC.