Traditionally, circus animals are sadly confined in cages for most of their lives, forced to perform unnatural tricks, and undergo violent training sessions where they’re often whipped and even electrically shocked into action. It’s no surprise then that people who are aware of these cruel practices now boycott circuses and other traveling animal shows. Some countries have even banned the use of wild animals in circuses altogether, including The Netherlands, Ireland, and Mexico. However, a circus in Germany known as Circus Roncalli has taken a more creative approach to the issue to help to keep circus shows alive—it has swapped real animals for holograms.

Circus Roncalli first began entertaining crowds with animals in 1976; but today, the organizers are the pioneers of the futuristic hologram approach in an attempt to fight against animal cruelty in the entertainment industry. While the traveling shows still feature real acrobats and swirling fires, none of the animals are real. Instead, Roncalli project 360° 3D holographic images that fill the entire 105-foot-wide, 16-foot-deep arena.

The mesmerizing experiences feature giant holographic horses, elephants, and fish that beautifully move around the stage. So far, people have responded extremely positively to the show and thanked the Roncalli team for their compassion. One person on Twitter even suggested they include a unicorn hologram as a way to make the event even more magical.

Circus Roncalli in Germany has swapped real animals for holograms in an attempt to fight against animal cruelty in the entertainment industry.

The team projects 360° 3D holographic images that fill the entire 105-foot-wide, 16-foot-deep arena.

So far, people have responded extremely positively to the show.

They could do holograms of stuff like unicorns. IMAGINE! — Jenn Holton 🏳️‍🌈 (@JennHolton) April 6, 2019

Awesome technology. . . . sad side to this,

Hologram imagery is or is going to be the imagery we’ll see

of extinct creatures.

We’ve murdered so many. Everyone, enjoy what we have left, which is not much,

Through the Caring for all creatures still present with us.

We can do it — Lyf Tree Seeker (@Intheyear1964) April 6, 2019

Circus Roncalli: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

h/t: [Bored Panda]

All images via Circus Roncalli.

Related Articles:

Animal Crackers Redesign Frees Animals From Cages After 116 Years of Captivity

Britain’s Oldest Clown Society Keeps Record of Every Unique Face Makeup on Eggs

Gorgeous Liu Wen Joins the Circus for Vogue Australia