Zoos have come under fire in recent years for their usage of captive animals. Animal rights groups and others contend that zoo animals are treated inhumanely, either through neglect and maltreatment or through the pain of not being able to live a normal life.
One German zoo had a unique answer to this problem: holographic animals.
Circus Roncalli shared similar concerns regarding the treatment of zoo animals. So, they resolved to make a change. Instead of trained animals, they feature a one-of-a-kind animal hologram show. And the result is absolutely spectacular.
The 360-degree show fills the entire arena, which is 105 feet wide and 16 feet deep.
With 3D holograms like few have ever seen, you can only imagine how large — and how lifelike — these circus “animals” are.
Bernhard Paul, the founder of Roncalli Circus, has been directing it since it started in 1976.
Back at its beginnings, Roncalli did use trained animals. But then Paul reconsidered, and he’s never looked back. He got the idea for using holograms after seeing Justin Timberlake perform at the Superbowl with Prince — a singer who passed away back in April 2016.
“As a circus, you have to be open-minded about everything, especially the feelings of the audience,” said Paul. “When you feel that the audience does not approve of something, then you have to change it.”
Paul said there were other reasons for dropping animal acts as well, including the inefficiency of transporting animals on crowded highways.
But, he added, Circus Roncalli has always deemphasized animal acts while emphasizing other acts like puppetry, acrobatics, theater sketches, and more.
As for the amazing holograms, Paul said they have received about 95 percent positive feedback from audiences all over the world.
It’s a new circus experience for sure.
While circus goers get to see traditional acts like elephants performing tricks, they also get to see things that are a little more whimsical, such as a giant goldfish suspended in the air. And Paul says they haven’t yet finished shaping their show — there may be even bigger things to come.
“We continue to work on the holography,” he said. “So far, we were pioneers. We still have many ideas. As a circus or circus-director, you have to listen to the audience but also to your heart and to trust your gut. I was focused on showing the audience something new.”
The change from Circus Roncalli is particularly timely.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey closed their doors — or tent flaps — in 2017 after 146 years of performing. This was largely due to popular attitude shifts toward the circus’ use of animals in their acts. Although they attempted to slowly get rid of elephant acts in 2015, people still had mixed opinions, especially regarding their lions, tigers, and other animals. Going out of business also came after years of being the subject of lawsuits from animal rights groups such as PETA.
But Circus Roncalli is the perfect example of how zoos can adapt and change while still putting on a breathtaking show.
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