Shilpa Shetty reaches out to frightened circus animals

Jaipur, Apr 26 (UNI) After Bollywood stars Aamir Khan, Diya Mirza's turn on Narmada Bachao movement now its svelte Shilpa Shetty who is lending support to the cause of animals.

In a new ad for People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Shilpa in a figure-hugging striped body suit crouches in a small cage to illustrate the misery of animals in circuses.

Shot by ace lensman Atul Kasbekar, the ad encourages Shilpa's fans to boycott circuses with animal acts. The ad with the tagline 'Beaten, Lonely and Abused - Boycott the Circus' makes a compassionate plea to its audience.

This month being the anniversary of the gruesome incident in which 21 animals, including sea lions, dogs and cats belonging to Russian circus were burned alive in Mumbai, PETA has taken up the cause to remind people that circuses portray a distorted view of wildlife.

PETA says animals do not naturally ride bicycles, stand on their heads or jump through rings of fire, so circus handlers use whips, electric shock prods and other tools of torture to train them.

Behind the glittering stage of circuses, it's a sad and depressing scene for the animals as they work knowing that they will be badly hurt if they do not obey.

Even their access to basic necessities such as clean water, sufficient food and vital veterinary care is often ignored or severly limited.

A long time PETA supporter, Shilpa says, ''By no means was I comfortable doing the photo shoot in that small cage. These once dignified animals only leave their cages, which are barely larger than the size of their bodies, for a few minutes each day to be forced into the ring to perform tricks, which make no sense and are upsetting to them.'' UNI RRT SC KP1130