Animal rights is a new topic for my blog and my followers may get surprised that I'm writing about the things I've never mentioned before.

Right, on my blog, I usually share my impressions of the university, fellow students, courses and exams. Being a first-year-student is a new experience for me and I feel very excited about it. Some experienced bloggers often tell me: 'Anna, you are too emotional. Your blogging should be more responsible to select the right topics and the right words.' But I can't help it! I write about everything that surprises, excites, upsets, or puzzles me.

Today's story is just about being puzzled. It started when Ms. Miller, my former biology teacher, asked me to help the pupils she is teaching now with their ecological project. I thought it would be fun, and agreed.

However, the topic we chose was not just fun  — it made me think really hard and I’m still in two minds about it. The thing is that my little friends decided to make the project about animal rights. We collected material about pets and about endangered animals. Everything went smoothly until we touched on the problem of circus animals.

Basically, the problem is whether it’s OK to keep wild animals in the circus or if it is cruel and unfair. And I’m not sure I know the answer.

I still remember my delight when my parents and I went to the dolphinarium together. I was about eight or nine at the time, and I was amazed by the dolphin show! Also we once saw a fantastic Russian circus, where lions and tigers were performing together. As a future biologist I know that tigers and lions are hostile towards each other and that is why they never perform on the stage together. But the trainers did what was considered impossible  — the lions and tigers cooperated and worked as partners! So, the point is that if there are no animals in the circus and there are no zoos, people, especially children, will never have the opportunity to watch wild animals at all! And they’ll never feel the delight my friends and I felt when we were children.

However, on the other hand, the circus animals don't perform because they enjoy entertaining the public. They have no choice and, in fact, they are kept imprisoned all their life, which is not fair at all.

Some circuses also feel that it is unfair and are becoming animal-free. It means that only human artists perform there and there are no animal shows. Cirque du Soleil is one circus of this kind. They are famous for their acrobats and gymnasts, and for their beautiful musical performances that always tell a story or a fairy tale. But there are no animals! And I haven’t decided yet whether this is an advantage or disadvantage of the circus.

The other news that we discussed in relation to the school project is the ban on dolphin and whale shows. We’ve found out that in at least four countries  — in India, Costa Rica, Chile, and Hungary  — these marine mammals are officially declared non-human persons. This means that, according to the law, people and dolphins have equal rights. Keeping a dolphin in captivity is a crime similar to keeping a human being locked up against their will. I’m positive that this is a great, just and fair law! We probably won’t enjoy the dolphin shows anymore but the dolphins will enjoy their free life in their real home!

Right, I believe I know what I should tell my little friends tomorrow. And I’ll be grateful for your posts on the topic. Please, share your thoughts and ideas on the point whatever they are...