"Distressed" hippos forced to perform conga in Eastern European circus

Three hippos were pictured being forced to perform a conga in an Eastern European circus.

The seven-year-old females were reportedly paraded around in the freezing temperatures of Minsk, Belarus, far from their native Africa, the Daily Mail reports.

Zlatyi, Yana and Aida were made to bounce balls on their heads, climb ladders and build pyramids.

A spokesman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals told the Daily Express: "Hippos, along with other luckless wild animals who are chained, caged, whipped and intimidated by the circus industry, are deeply distressed when they perform.

"In the 21st century, with all the countless ways we have to amuse ourselves, there is absolutely no excuse for these shows to be taking place."

The government in Belarus has not yet introduced animal cruelty laws.

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