NOGENT-LA-PHAYE, France (Reuters) - Patrick Violas made his fortune in mobile phone stores before ploughing 25 million euros of his own money into a sanctuary for lions, bears and laboratory primates. Now he's planning an extension before a ban on circus animals comes into effect.
Violas, whose sanctuary is located about 90 kilometres (56 miles) southwest of Paris, said he had taken numerous phone calls from circus owners. He's also advises the government as legislation to phase out the use of wild animals in circuses passes through parliament.