A Russian circus touring Australia has been forced to stop its fish-swallowing act after a series of complaints by the public that it was cruel and in poor taste.
The Great Moscow Circus had included the act which consisted of a woman swallowing live fish and then regurgitating them until the New South Wales state government forced them to drop it on Monday as it breached animal protection laws.
Mr Greg Hall the circus general manager said similar acts were performed in circuses around the world, but that the circus would revamp the act following the complaints and not use live fish for the Australian shows.
Animal welfare activists welcomed the decision.
"Scientific research has shown that fish are capable of suffering," said Glenys Oogjes, executive director of non-government group Animals Australia.
"Circuses continue to claim that performing animal acts are educational. Far from educational, this was an inhumane and foolish act which reflected badly on the Moscow Circus."