Wild animals have long been a part of circus thrills, but as using them has been banned in many places a French company is using ultra-realistic holograms to keep lions, elephants, and other creatures a part of the show.
Clampdown around the world on the use of live animals
For as long as there have been circuses, wild animals have been part of the show, adding an element of danger such as the lion taming act.
But in recent years, after decades of effort by activists, not only has the use of touring animals become taboo, but it has also become banned in many places, Bloomberg reports.
Two states in the US – New Jersey and Hawaii – have banned the use of most wild animals, while four other states – California, New York, Illinois, and Rhode Island – have restrictions in place. Further, many US cities have imposed limitations as well. Internationally, at least two dozen European countries have prohibited the use of wild animals in circus shows, with a ban in France taking effect in 2023.
A plan to save the circus
With the use of wild animals outlawed, it looked like a key part of circus tradition would be gone forever. But one French company is taking advantage of a quantum leap that has occurred in recent years in holographic technology that is truly lifelike while adding animals in exciting new ways never seen before.
Circus of the future: Holograms keep animals a part of the show
A French husband-and-wife team of animal trainers has created L’Écocirque—or the Ecocircus, in English, that is using advanced hologram technology to keep animals as a part of the circus experience.
André-Joseph and his wife Sandrine Bouglione both come from generations of circus families and animal trainers. The welfare of animals is a chief concern of theirs. They say the breaking point came one night when one of their big cats was injured.
“We were haunted by the way it looked at us before returning to the cage,” André-Joseph said.
They were among the first to test the concept of performing without animals in a small show in 2016. The move earned them harassment from others in the industry, as well as a rift within the rest of the Bouglione clan.
Undaunted, with the help of some outside funding, L’Écocirque added holograms in place of live animals. Although they are not the first to do so, they are taking holograms to the next level.
One of the most stunning presentations that add something new to the animal experience is that of beluga whales among human performers, all illuminated by a gargantuan LED light display, and a live orchestra playing rock music.
André-Joseph and Sandrine Bouglione consider L’Écocirque to be part of a new wave of technology-heavy shows. Such flamboyant visuals are following in the footsteps of Canada’s world-renowned Cirque du Soleil.
