Animal abuse is a real and much-debated issue when it comes to circus entertainment. Indeed, circuses have received a great deal of criticism from animals rights organisations for exploiting, abusing and often punishing the creatures in their programmess.

Many of these animals are bred in captivity and will spend most of their lives in unnatural and stressful environments. When they are not performing or training, they are often chained or kept in cramped and poorly ventilated conditions.

This appalling treatment eventually takes its toll on their physical and mental health. As a result, calls for a ban on the use of animals in circuses are increasing year on year.

However, one very forward-thinking circus in Germany could very well pave the way for the inclusion of 'animal entertainment' without any need to take the creatures out of their natural habitats - or use them in circuses at all.

Circus Roncalli is the very first of its kind to replace animals with realistic holograms.

Instead of capturing and forcing a group of sentient creatures to perform tricks in front of an audience, Circus Roncalli will be using these very striking three-dimensional holograms.

Optoma Corporation, the company which developed the technology for this revolutionary project, said:

"Roncalli wanted to create 3D holographic images from bright, reliable, long-lasting projectors to fill the circus arena measuring 32 metres wide and 5 metres deep with 360° visibility for the entire audience."

Optoma Corporation elaborated:

"Boasting superior color performance and 360° projection capability, Optoma’s ZU850 model with innovative MultiColor laser technology has assisted in creating a phenomenal experience for Roncalli circus visitors.

Thousands of visitors now enjoy a modern, entertaining twist on the circus experience. With 360° projection of horses galloping around the arena and elephants doing headstands, the Roncalli circus experience is not one to miss."

A cruelty-free future for circuses could, therefore, be closer than we think.

Animal abuse is a real and much-debated issue when it comes to circus entertainment. Indeed, circuses have received a great deal of criticism from animals rights organisations for exploiting, abusing and often punishing the creatures in their programmess.

Many of these animals are bred in captivity and will spend most of their lives in unnatural and stressful environments. When they are not performing or training, they are often chained or kept in cramped and poorly ventilated conditions.

This appalling treatment eventually takes its toll on their physical and mental health. As a result, calls for a ban on the use of animals in circuses are increasing year on year.

However, one very forward-thinking circus in Germany could very well pave the way for the inclusion of 'animal entertainment' without any need to take the creatures out of their natural habitats - or use them in circuses at all.

Circus Roncalli is the very first of its kind to replace animals with realistic holograms.

Instead of capturing and forcing a group of sentient creatures to perform tricks in front of an audience, Circus Roncalli will be using these very striking three-dimensional holograms.

Optoma Corporation, the company which developed the technology for this revolutionary project, said:

"Roncalli wanted to create 3D holographic images from bright, reliable, long-lasting projectors to fill the circus arena measuring 32 metres wide and 5 metres deep with 360° visibility for the entire audience."

Optoma Corporation elaborated:

"Boasting superior color performance and 360° projection capability, Optoma’s ZU850 model with innovative MultiColor laser technology has assisted in creating a phenomenal experience for Roncalli circus visitors.

Thousands of visitors now enjoy a modern, entertaining twist on the circus experience. With 360° projection of horses galloping around the arena and elephants doing headstands, the Roncalli circus experience is not one to miss."

A cruelty-free future for circuses could, therefore, be closer than we think.