A “naked tiger” was seen on the corner of Wright and Green Street Thursday afternoon. A volunteer female was painted in tiger stripes and weathered the cold as she held up a sign which said “Wild animals don’t belong behind bars.”

PETA, or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, campaign coordinator Tracy Patton said that the tiger was to represent the animals employed by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, who are coming to Assembly Hall March 18-20.

“(There are) confound and live fearful and lonely lives. People are outraged to find out that Ringling Bros. beats their animals,” Patton said.

The group was out from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m and drew the interest of many students on campus.

“The response was great. Everyone was excited,” Patton said. “We tried to get here a couple of weeks before just to call on people to boycott.” Patton said.

The naked tiger and the demonstrations travel nationwide to protest circuses that use physical tactics, according to Patton. PETA will be back in Champaign on March 18 when the circus comes to town.

“There are alternative cruelty-free tactics that use willing human performers such as Cirque du Soleil,” Patton said.