Outside of the Chinese-donated National Stadium in San Jose this Sunday, animal rights activists picketed and shouted slogans as spectators cheered on bull riders, bronco handlers and rodeo clowns. According to a report filed by Paula Ruiz of La Prensa Libre, the “American-style” (from the United States) rodeo took place without turmoil despite the clamor from protesters who assembled peacefully.

 

Ms. Ruiz spoke to some of the activists, who explained that they are opposed to these rodeos because they exploit animals for human entertainment.

 

“We want to make clear to the organizers of this event that in Costa Rica we do not want animal abuse, nor exploitation, nor the utilization of animals for entertainment.”

 

The above statement was made by Edgar Samper, who indicated that requests for immediate relief have been filed before Sala Cuarta, the Constitutional Chamber of Costa Rica, but that no resolution has been forthcoming. Nonetheless, activists emphasized that they would demand a report on the health of the rodeo animals from the National Animal Health and Welfare Service (Spanish acronym: SENASA).

 

“American-style” rodeos are not necessarily a novelty in Costa Rica. In fact, the annual holiday “bullfights” that do not involve injuring or killing bulls have many elements of the North American rodeo that came to La Sabana over the weekend, but the Tico production values are not as sophisticated. Animal rights activists want that holiday tradition to stop as well, and this is something The Costa Rica Star has reported on at length in the past:

 

In Costa Rica, Christmas and the end of the year holidays bring a lot of cheer to residents and visitors. One of the most expected events of the holiday season is called Toros a la Tica, which some people wrongly characterize as bullfights, but in reality they fall somewhere in between the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona and the North American rodeos. Ostensibly, these are family-friendly events; however, some activists claim that they are nothing but cruel spectacles.

 

For the record, legislation in Costa Rica is strictly against performances by circus animals and “Sea World-style” shows involving cetaceans. Based on the law, activists wondered how the rodeo made it past SENASA in the first place.