NIU Students Cause Exotic Animal Circus to Cancel

The George Carden Circus, an exotic animal show with an extensive record of animal mistreatment, was scheduled to perform at Northern Illinois University on March 4. A group of students led by anthropology professor Mitch Irwin circulated a petition that urged NIU to prohibit the circus from coming to the school. The petition received approximately 2,700 signatures and the Students Association echoed its constituents’ concerns when stating its opposition to the Carden Circus performance. “I think we are setting a higher ethical standard and putting more forethought into the events we book,” said Irwin to the Daily Chronicle. Carden Circus cancelled its NIU event, which it claims was due to weather. Starting in 1994 and continuing to the present, Carden has been cited numerous times by state and federal agencies for its lack of animal care and unethical practices.