A Shocking Turn of Events
The incident took place during a performance in central Russia, where Donut, the brown bear, had been entertaining the crowd by gliding on a hoverboard. Without warning, she lunged toward her handler, Sergei Prichinich, knocking him to the ground. “She snapped at Sergei and wrestled with him,” said Nikita Mikhailov, the head of the Moretti Circus. In the tense moments that followed, Donut held Prichinich down, biting at the stick he was holding. While audience members feared for his life, Prichinich displayed remarkable composure, waiting for the bear to calm down before getting back on his feet.
Throughout the ordeal, Prichinich remained composed, an essential tactic that likely saved him from further harm. According to Mikhailov, the trainer didn’t resist the bear’s sudden aggression. “He waited for the bear to calm down, then continued the routine, sealing it all with a kiss,” Mikhailov explained. This calm reaction is crucial in such situations, as wild animals can become more agitated by resistance. The performance shockingly continued after the incident, with both the trainer and Donut showing no signs of injury. However, the incident left many questioning the risks circus performers face daily.
Animal Welfare in Question
The use of animals in circuses remains a controversial topic, particularly in countries like Russia, where it is still legal. Donut’s attack has added fuel to the ongoing debate over animal welfare in entertainment. Animal rights advocate Yuri Koretskikh, a leading voice in efforts to ban animals in circuses, remarked, “While the rest of the world is moving towards humane circus acts, Russia’s circus lobby resists progress, defending its commercial interests.” He emphasized that audiences are growing tired of seeing animals in distressing situations, furthering calls for change in the industry.
A Dangerous Tradition
In Russia, circuses have long used animals in their acts, ranging from hoverboarding bears to those made to “box” in rings. Many argue that these performances not only put animals at risk but also endanger the trainers. Donut’s attack is not an isolated incident, but it has highlighted the dangers of these traditional shows. “This is an animal, and they can behave differently, they may not like something,” Mikhailov stated, suggesting that even the best-trained animals can act unpredictably under the spotlight. These unpredictable moments underline the inherent risk that trainers face while working with wild animals in such environments.
Calls for Change
Despite the widespread concerns, Russia’s circus lobby continues to resist efforts to phase out animals from performances. Animal rights campaigners like Koretskikh argue that change is inevitable. “Modern circuses around the world are evolving, embracing performances without animals, but Russia lags behind,” he said. Public sentiment also seems to be shifting, with more people expressing discomfort over the use of animals for entertainment. Donut’s attack on Prichinich could be a pivotal moment, reigniting the call for stricter regulations—or even a ban—on animals in circus performances.
