THE ORGANISERS of the Russian Circus on Ice have taken anticipatory bail to avoid harassment from the Customs authorities over the four sea lions on the ground.

    " The circus authorities, and not the event management group, brought the sea lions here. So if there is any problem, it is the circus authorities* responsibility," said Newa Yadav of Choice Events and Trade Pvt Ltd.
    Yadav said Customs authorities have been trying to accuse his group of keeping the sea lions without proper papers. uSea lions are marine animals, and not wild animals," he said.
    Judges N.A. Chowdhury and S.P. Mitra directed the Customs authorities not to arrest Yadav, fellow-director Deka Debanga Kumar and managing director Atif Mustafiz Ali till the next date of hearing on December 23. By then, the circus will be in Mumbai.
    The high court also directed the Customs authorities not to interfere with the custody of the sea lions, now with the Russian State Circus Company
    The company is in a fix over how to transport the sea lions back to Moscow. They have asked the Russian Consulate if a special plane can be arranged fromKolkata.
    " The sea lions are in AC chambers and in perfect health," said circus director Samashko Anna. Maintenance of each costs over Rs 5,000 a day.